ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Warriors welcomed nationally ranked No. 6 Vanguard University to Warrior Arena coming off a big conference win at Menlo on Tuesday. Jessup kept it close through mid-fourth quarter before the Lions went on a run for the win, 62-47.

"I'm pleased we were able to battle the No.6 team in the nation," head coach Kurt Westendorp commented.  "Vanguard is a powerhouse and it showed in a lot of statistical categories, but our kids found a way to keep it close and gave ourselves a chance deep into the 4th quarter."

It was a rough start for Jessup out the gate as the Lions took an early 6-0 lead before the Warriors hit the board. It didn't take long from there as the Warriors tied it up 11-11 at the halfway point but the Lions held the advantage after the first quarter over Jessup, 19-13.

The Warriors continued to struggle from the floor unable to take a lead through the second quarter going into the break trailing the Lions, 35-27. Coming off a strong offensive appearance at Menlo, the Warriors weren't able to connect in key runs down the stretch.

Westendorp explained, "We knew coming off a win a couple nights ago that we would need to continue our solid ball movement on the offensive end.  I felt we did this but couldn't capitalize on our good looks the way we did at Menlo."

Junior forward Ashlyn Jones came out strong to get a buck to start the half and continued an offensive spark throughout getting her team within 4 points with a steal and layup on the other end (37-41).  But the Warriors ran into foul trouble allowing the Lions to continue their lead going into the final 10-minutes of play, Jessup down 37-46.

Midway through the fourth quarter the Warriors closed the gap, being down by as much as 10, but fighting to get within 5 with a little over 4 minutes left. The Lions would answer back shutting down the Warriors as they went scoreless the remainder of the game. The Lady Warriors fall to 1-2 in league and 7-4 overall with the 62-47 loss to Vanguard.

Jones finished the game with her third double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

"Going forward we know we can compete with the best teams in the GSAC," Westendorp concluded.  "We're looking forward to the challenge coming up next week against the No. 4 team in the nation.  It will be great to have our students back on campus.  We're going to need a big home court advantage!"

Jessup will break for a week before they host nationally ranked Westmont next Thursday at 5:30.
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).