ROCKLIN, Calif. – "Upset" is starting to be a reoccurring thing inside the Warrior Arena. In fact, their happening so often that it's fair to say these wins are no longer considered to be "upsets."
With another formidable opponent in front of them Thursday, the Warriors (14-6, 6-3) battled down to the wire with No. 10 Arizona Christian University (17-4, 5-3). After taking a big double-digit lead, the Firestorm fought back but couldn't overcome the red-hot Warriors as Jessup solidified themselves as real contenders in the NAIA, winning 80-75.
"We don't really worry about what other people think about us. We trust the process, we have faith in each other, and we have faith in the man upstairs. We play for things we can't see. With that, I think that we can move mountains, and that's what you're starting to see this team do," said an ecstatic head coach Lance Von Vogt after the game.
"We believe in who we are and what we can do. We believe that with a proper effort we can beat anyone in the (Golden State Athletic Conference). I believe that we're proving that now."
The Warriors made the Firestorm work from the outset of the game, with their first offensive possession lasting nearly a minute while collecting two fouls against their opponents and three points. The possession was just a precursor to an intense battle that would last throughout the evening.
Desmond Floyd (Gilbert, AZ) looked to gain the advantage down low early in the game, scoring four consecutive points in the first five minutes. Foul trouble would plague the Warriors early; however, with defensive expert Saajid Polite (Sacramento, CA) collecting two in the opening five and heading to the bench.
The Firestorm of Arizona Christian found their own hot streak from the field, going ahead of the Warriors until Polite buried a long-range three with eight minutes remaining in the first half which was quickly followed by a strong post move from Floyd forcing the Firestorm to call a timeout.
Despite Jessup moving to a zone defense, or perhaps because of it, the game sped up. The zone dared the firestorm to toss long balls at the basket early in the shot clock and they accepted, but missed. The Warriors, on the other hand, were disciplined in holding to their game plan, running at Arizona Christian early before kicking the ball to open three point shooters. Senior Corey Clement (Las Vegas, NV) capitalized with two 3-pointers giving the Warriors an eight point lead and forcing another Firestorm timeout in the final stretch of the first half.
Jessup managed to build a 13-point lead before Arizona Christian started driving to the basket. The Jessup zone was a touch slow to make the adjustment and the Firestorm made a chip in their deficit but the Warriors closed the half up eight points 44-36.
There wasn't a person in the crowd who faulted the fight being shown between either team after the first half and the epic battle raged on into the second half. Each team wanted looked to score off the fast break at the outset of the second half of play but the efforts were a near wash when the clock showed 15 minutes with a score of Warriors 51 to Firestorm 42.
Things started moving after the clock dropped below the eight-minute mark as the Firestorm coach initiated a shouting match with the referees; the referees soon ended the match with a technical foul on the visiting coach. The ordeal served to fuel a burst of energy from Arizona Christian as they whittled the Jessup lead to four with five minutes remaining in the game.
Things looked bleak for the Warriors as they made two turnovers rushing the ball down the floor with one minute remaining and a three-point lead. They made it up defensively however capped off by Micheal Patterson (Amarillo, TX) taking a key offensive foul. Clement calmed the Warriors and bled the shot clock before taking it to the rack himself for a bucket and putting the Warriors up by two possessions with 30 seconds remaining.
Arizona Christian calmly answered with their own 3-pointer and quick foul. Jessup hit 1-of-2 from the free throw line and it was a 3-point Jessup lead with 20 seconds. ACU tried the identical three they made the possession before, but a huge hustle from senior Andre Smith (San Diego, CA) put the ball not more than a centimeter long and it rattled out.
With the final seconds closing, Patterson was fouled, and made both of the free throws to give Jessup a five-point lead, icing the game. The win was Jessup's second against a top-10 ranked opponent in the last two weeks.
Clement was off the charts Thursday night, leading all scorers with 35 points. The 35-point performance sets a new William Jessup University single-game record.
"Corey is an absolute talent," praised Von Vogt. "He can get you a triple-double one night, and then the next he creates a mix-match problem because he's an inside-outside guy. His leadership tonight was invaluable. He scored the biggest basket of the night when we needed it most."
"This was one of the most poised and composed games I have seen from Corey, and I've been coaching him all the way since junior college all the way through here. I'm so glad he's here with me.
Thursday was the annual Suits and Sneakers, Coaches vs Cancer night. Coaches from both teams wore sneakers in support of cancer awareness. Half of the proceeds brought in for Thursday night's contest were donated to the American Cancer Society. To donate, please visit www.cancer.org.
"I believe cancer is one of the most important issues today," said Von Vogt on the special night. "Personally, my mother has battled breast cancer on two occasions and has been victorious in her battle. She's been clear of any cancer for ten years. The ability for us to raise money for that cause and keep it at the forefront of society's mind is so important because lives are being extended, and people are getting the chance to keep family members around longer. It's something near and dear to my heart."
The Warriors will get another crack at a top-10 team on Saturday when they play host to No. 7 Hope International for Jessup's 2016 Homecoming game. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Warrior Arena.
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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).
