STOCKTON, Calif. - Coming off a tough loss at home earlier this week, the Warriors traveled up the road to take on the NCAA Div. I University of Pacific Tigers in an exhibition game to close out the year.  The Warriors battled despite the loss, 103-65, with a little help from a larger than normal crowd for a road game cheering them on.

"We talked before the game about how it's going to be a lot of fun to play on the biggest stage. This is the highest level of basketball that you can play and when you get that opportunity, we want to seize that opportunity, head coach Kurt Westendorp said. The goal is to play fearless and as hard as you can for Him at this highest stage."
This was the first outing for the Warriors since 2013 to play at the NCAA Div. I level.

"We were trying to make tonight where they had to beat us on the outside, and they did," commented Westendorp. "They did a nice job knocking down 14 three's, but we were trying to control the paint more in this game."

And control the paint is exactly what the Warriors did, outscoring the Tigers by two points (32-30).
Westendorp confirmed, "We played an NCAA Division I team and we won the points in the paint by two. So I was very pleased that they responded to that aspect of the game plan."

It was a rough first quarter out the gate down 9-27, but that didn't weigh on the Warriors as they came back with a 23-25 second quarter. Closing out the half, Mia Gliatta threw up a long three that was good with assistance from the backboard to close the gap 32-52 at half.

"The first half was great for us. Having that great second quarter was nice for us to know that we can play with them," Westendorp said. "Coming into the game there was a little bit of unknown of what to expect, and after the second quarter they got it."

The Warriors got their spark from a dynamic pair throughout the game coming off the bench. Leilua Iosia led with 12 points going 5-9 from the field.

"Le (Iosia) and Ty (Tyler Swycinsky) were that spark off the bench. Put them in together and they brought us energy. Everyone gave us energy, but those two particularly did a great job covering the court and making it hard for them to get point in the paint," coach stated.

Junior Ashlyn Jones had quite the game in front of her hometown crowd with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block in her 26 minutes of play. Matched by teammate, Janelle Luu with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.

"It felt great to be back at home, to play back in front of my friends and family," Jones said. "It was a great experience."

Jones in her junior year with the Warriors is averaging 14.6 points in her 9 appearances thus far on season. Jones said she is grateful for her time at Jessup, "Being there three years has been a great experience, I wouldn't trade it for anything, I love Jessup and the community they have."

Following the game Westendorp commended his team for their effort today and how far they have come this half of the season.

"I am very proud of the way that we have gotten better, gotten to know each other adjusting to a new coach in the last couple months. We have laid a good foundation," Westendorp concluded, "Now it is time to see how good we can really be."

The Warriors will take a break for the remainder of the year and return back a couple days before their next matchup against conference opponent at Menlo on January 3rd at 5:30pm.
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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).