ROCKLIN, Calif. -  The William Jessup University women's basketball team (15-13, 6-9) visited Phoenix Saturday for a conference matchup with Arizona Christian University (13-14, 4-10). The Warriors weren't able to overcome an early deficit losing to the Firestorm 74-47.

After watching the William Jessup University men's basketball team struggle to score in the previous game, the Warrior women's team seemed resigned to the same fate after finding themselves unable to record a basket until seven minutes into the game.

Finally, sophomore Rona Chavez (Clayton, CA) hit a three-point bucket to get Jessup started but it would be an uphill battle through the afternoon as they finished the first quarter with a 17-5 deficit.

The Warriors wasted no time to make up ground in the second quarter, quickly closing the gap to 19-10 fueled by baskets from Chavez and senior Diana Corona (Porterville, CA). The Firestorm reacted equally as well, building their biggest lead of the night 29-14 going into the locker rooms at halftime.

Once more the Warriors closed the gap on Arizona Christian at the outset of the third quarter. Jessup battled hard to come as close as six points with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, but once more, the Firestorm answered, ending the quarter with a 52-38 lead.

While the Warriors fought hard through the end of the game, they weren't able to muster a final run on the Firestorm. The game remained stagnant until Arizona Christian made a final run toward the end of the game resulting in a 74-47 Jessup loss.

Chavez led the Warriors offensively with 14 points hitting three of six three-point attempts and recording 3 assists. Senior Megan Scully (Newark, CA) followed with 9 points and 7 rebounds while Corona posted 6 points and 9 rebounds.

The Warriors will have a little time to rest and recuperate after the road trip before hosting No. 2 Westmont College for senior night on Thursday, with tip-off scheduled for 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).