Box Score SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Jessup women's basketball team (14-12) played their last non-conference game of the season on Saturday, traveling to the Bay Area to visit the University of California Santa Cruz (13-9). The Warriors struggled to find their offensive rhythm, ultimately falling to the Banana Slugs 64-51.
As the saying goes, the Warriors weren't able to buy a basket had they wanted to in the opening half of play. Going into the locker rooms Jessup found themselves having shot 19% from the field compared to 40% from the Banana Slugs. The bright spot for the Warriors was their free throw shooting, hitting 10 of 12 equating to just under half of their first half points.
The Warriors battled with the Banana Slugs through-and-through the first period, save for the closing minutes. In the first quarter the score was even at 10-10 with just over two minutes remaining but it would be UCSC that would score the final 5 points to take a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Unfortunately, Jessup wasn't able to slow the momentum at the outset of the second quarter. Santa Cruz turned the scoring streak into a 17-3 run, seeing a lead as large as 19. Eventually, though, the Warriors shook off the setback and worked the game back within ten by the time a buzzer signaled the end of the opening half.
The second half did not write a different story for the Warriors. The third quarter saw Jessup's best performance as they battled back within six at one point, but when the 10 minute period expired the scoreboard read 44-34 in favor of Santa Cruz and Jessup had not made up ground.
Jessup's field goal percentage increased significantly in the second half to 38% and the Warriors kept themselves in the game through the fourth and final period but never made any significant headway, losing the game 64-51.
Rona Chavez (Clayton, CA) led all scoring on the night posting 14 points while Alexandra Rodriguez posted 10 points and six rebounds.
Jessup will stay on the road through the next week playing at San Diego Christian and Arizona Christian on February 18th and 20th respectively. The Warriors return home on February 25 for the final game of the regular season and senior night with the women tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7:30.
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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).
