Rocklin, Calif. – Visiting the Warriors women's basketball team of William Jessup University (13-4, 4-2) Saturday were the San Diego Christian Hawks (5-9, 0-6). The Warriors smoothly took care of business to nab their second conference win in as many games 57-50.
It wasn't all smooth sailing for Jessup on the night. The Hawks showed they meant business at the outset of the game scoring the first eight points of the contest. After head coach Emilie Blate made several rounds of substitutions the Warriors calmed their game and began to regain traction. Before the first quarter concluded Jessup managed to close the gap to 13-11.
While it took a few minutes for Jessup to start rolling, once the Warriors got going, it proved difficult to slow the machine. Jessup started owning the pace the game through the second quarter claiming a 23-18 lead going into halftime. Jessup kept hold of their hard earned momentum after the intermission and dominated the third quarter, brutally outscoring the Hawks 18-5 in the third period.
Five of Jessup's wins this season have been decided by fewer than five points and fans probably would have appreciated a comfortable win tonight. San Diego; however, was not ready to concede. They elected to put the half-court offense on the backburner for the final 10 minutes and worked to red line the speed of the game.
The strategy was effective, the Hawks were able to interrupt the Warrior's rhythm just enough to make a run at the game. Layup after layup San Diego inched back into the game and managed to close the gap back to just three points with 22 seconds remaining. The Warriors absorbed the blow and bent but did not break. Perfect free throw shooting from Rona Chavez (Clayton, CA) down the stretch sealed the Warrior victory.
Despite having to play without their season's leading offensive producer Crystal Sewel (Ophir, CA) due to injury, the Warrior's team as whole managed to distribute the missing points amongst the rest of the team. Senior Megan Scully (Newark, CA) stepped up this evening to lead the Warriors in scoring with 13 points while Chavez posted 10. Jessup then had four other players score between six and nine before the closing horn.
San Diego was led offensively by Senior Berika Egberuare with 18 points.
The Warriors will return to the road next week to continue conference play visiting The Master's College and Westmont College in Southern California. Jessup will return home on January 28 to host Arizona Christian University.
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).
