ROCKLIN, Calif. – Looking to ring in the New Year with a bang, the Warriors (10-3) played host to a familiar opponent, the Simpson University Redhawks (4-10). After starting the game off very slowly, entering the half trailing by eight, Jessup put on a strong show in the second half to clinch their first victory of 2016, 57-55.
Shots did not want to fall for the Warriors early on Saturday, as Jessup connected on just 28.6-percent of their shots from the field in the opening two periods. For Simpson; however, trying to even up the score after falling to Jessup back in November, seemed to be hitting on all cylinders as they connected on 46.7-percent to start the game.
Jessup was able to limit the damage for the most part in the first quarter, rallying to cut the Simpson lead to just five after 10-minutes. In the second quarter, Simpson again got off to a quick start, but the Warriors did a nice job of keeping things relatively close, heading into the halftime break trailing by just eight.
The second half was where Jessup really began to catch their stride. After starting the year with low scoring numbers in the third quarter, the Warriors have turned that trend around as of late. The recent trend continued on Saturday, as the Warriors were able to build momentum to outscore the Redhawks by six in the third, entering the final frame trailing by just four.
In the fourth quarter, the momentum that Jessup had been building hit its full stride, and the Warriors began to find a nice rhythm, slowly taking over the game. Baskets in the paint by seniors Crystal Sewell (Ophir, CA) and Diana Corona (Porterville, CA) opened up the perimeter for sophomore Rona Chavez (Clayton, CA) to connect on 50-percent (3-of-6) from three-point-range.
In the closing seconds, Sewell connected on 1-of-2 from the free-throw-line, giving Jessup a two-point-lead. After a carrying violation called on Simpson with 1.1 seconds left, the game seemed to be in Jessup's hands. However, on the ensuing inbounds, Jessup passed the ball out of bounds to give the ball back to the Redhawks. Strong defense down low halted any chance of Simpson tying the game, sending the Warriors home with the narrow two-point victory.
Sewell and Chavez led the charge offensively for the Warriors, each scoring 13 points. Sewell also brought down a dozen rebounds to finish with a double-double. Jessup also saw strong offensive output from Corona and senior Megan Scully (Newark, CA) who each recorded 11 points in the win.
For Simpson, Whitney Rodriguez and Esther Wofford did the majority of the damage, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively. Rodriguez also recorded 13 rebounds for her double-double.
With the victory, Jessup's record improves to 10-3 on the 2015-16 season. The 10-win start through 13 games is the best start in the history of William Jessup University women's basketball.
The win puts Jessup at a perfect 8-0 against members of the California Pacific Conference this season. The 2016 portion of the schedule continues on January 7 when the Warriors travel down to Fullerton for a GSAC matchup with Hope International.
***
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).
