Santa Clarita, Calif. – The Warrior's women's basketball team (13-5, 4-3) visited #15 The Master's College (16-2, 7-0) Saturday and a first half deficit left the Warriors struggling to catch up before falling 79-58.

The Warriors have played their last 2 games without their leading scorer, Crystal Sewell, due to injury, but have continued to find conference success under head coach Emilie Blate and extensive senior leadership. The Warriors even found their first top 25 votes this week, since joining NAIA Division 1. Thursday night; though, Jessup faced off with the best team they have seen thus far and The Master's defense proved more than Jessup could overcome.

The first half saw Jessup fall to a large deficit as they struggled to score getting only eleven on the scoreboard in the first quarter. The Warriors managed to improve their performance in the second 10 minutes of play posting 17 points despite a huge loss when Diana Corona (Porterville, CA) picked up her third foul midway through the quarter forcing Blate to bench the talented forward.

Even with the improved offensive performance in the second quarter, The Masters kept a relentlessly balanced offensive attack effectively utilizing an inside outside strategy that opened up three point opportunities for the Mustangs.

It was a different Warrior team that came out after halftime with their guns blazing. A renewed offensive performance led by Rona Chavez (Clayton, CA) and Alexandra Rodriguez (Rocklin, CA) along with a high pressure half court zone defense helped the Warriors stay even with the Mustangs. Even with the impressive play; however, Jessup wasn't able to make up lost ground. Eventually, the clock gave way to fate and Jessup was credited the loss.

Chavez led the Warriors offensively with 12 points followed by Rodriguez and sophomore Janelle Luu (Riverbank, CA) each with 11. Senior Megan Scully (Newark, CA) would control the boards for Jessup with seven rebounds to go along with six points.

For the Mustangs, Megan Lindsley led the charge with 21 points followed by Bianca Cubello with 19.

The Warriors will spend the next few nights in the Los Angeles area before facing off with #2 Westmont College Saturday night. They return home next Thursday, Jan 28, when they will host Arizona Christian University, tipping off at 5:30 p.m.

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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).