ROCKLIN, Calif. – A late 3-pointer to end the third quarter seemed to be taking Thursday night's game down a familiar path. Needing to make a big comeback in the fourth quarter, the Warriors could not once again make some late magic as they fell 64-52.
Playing in support of cancer research, the Warriors welcomed GSAC rivals Arizona Christian University to the Warrior Arena Thursday night. After a quick start, Jessup's momentum quickly demised as they suffered their third straight loss.
The opening quarter was fairly one-dimensional for the Warriors, but in a good way. Jessup found success early in quarter on 3-pointers from senior Alexandra Rodriguez (Rocklin, CA) and sophomore Rona Chavez (Clayton, CA). The Warriors continued going to the well, as their first five baskets came from long range. The deep attack allowed Jessup to hold even with a steady Firestorm attack, who saw 63.6-percent of their shots fall, but two late baskets gave Jessup a 22-18 lead through one.
Thursday's first quarter was a rapid improvement from their last game against Westmont College Saturday night. The Warriors scored 10 more first quarter points Thursday, with six of their eight baskets coming from behind-the-arc.
The blazing success the Warriors saw in the first quarter did not make a smooth transition into the second, as it took Jessup over 6-minutes to make their first basket. During that time, Arizona Christian retook the lead on a 11-0 run. Jessup was able to do a little bit of damage control in the final minutes, but ultimately entered the half trailing 29-25.
Arizona Christian's numbers died off marginally in the second quarter, as they closed out the half shooting 50-percent (11-for-22) from the field. The Warriors finished shooting just 30-percent (9-for-30) in the first half, with six of the nine makes coming from three-point-range.
Another sluggish start was not in the cards for Jessup in the third, as both the Warriors and Firestorm traded basket-for-basket over the first few minutes. With the game teetering back-and-forth, it looked as if the Warriors might have gotten in the biggest punch to take over momentum. Trailing by 11 inside of 10-seconds, Chavez ran the ball up court and railed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, sending the game to the fourth with Jessup trailing 49-41.
In seven of Jessup's 13 wins already this season, the Warriors trailed entering the final period. With Jessup down eight entering the fourth, the Warriors once again needed to pull together a last ditch comeback.
Jessup managed to trim the deficit to six points before they had to start intentionally fouling in the final minute. A series of last minute 3-pointers were tossed up, but the Warriors could not chip away enough at the deficit as they suffered their third consecutive defeat.
Leading the charge offensively for the Warriors Thursday night was Chavez. Chavez totaled a team high 14 points, draining three 3-pointers while bringing down five rebounds. Sophomore Janelle Luu (Riverside, CA) added 9 points, while senior Diana Corona (Porterville, CA) finished with 10 rebounds.
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.
The season continues on Saturday, as the Warriors will play host to Hope International University for Jessup's 2016 Homecoming game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Warrior Arena, with the men following immediately after.
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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).
