ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Jessup men's basketball team tipped off the season on Thursday night welcoming Pacific Union to Horton Court in front of a great opening-night crowd where the Warriors did not disappoint. Starting things close, the Warriors took off with a second-half surge to take their first win of the season 89-64 over the Pioneers.

Head coach in his fifth season with the Warriors, Lance Von Vogt was looking forward to facing their first opponent, "We have been practicing for about a month now so this was a great opportunity to go up against a really good team that went to the National Tournament for NAIA Div. II last year."

Even-keeled through the start of the first half, the Warriors went up 27-25 with a little less than 8 minutes left on a layup in the paint by senior Brennan Rakoz and from there the Warriors didn't look back. Shortly after Jessup went on a 12-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Antonio Lewis to extend the lead 37-27.

At the break, the Warriors were up by 11 for a comfortable lead, 48-37, but the second-half rush was yet to come.

"They gave us everything we could handle in the first half and we were able to get a little separation before the halftime," Von Vogt said. "At the end of the day I think we played a solid second half with better defense and I like what I saw."

Debuting for the first time in Warrior uniform, junior Keith Phillips had an explosive first game.  The 6'5 Michigan native led the Warriors with 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Phillips hit back-to-back threes to kick off the second half, accompanied by second-leading scorer for the Warriors, also debuting on Horton Court, Tate DeLaVeaga finishing with 13 points, three assists and two rebounds. 

Continuing the stat line for the Warriors was Brandon Lindsey and Antonio Lewis with 12 points each, Luis Medearis with 10 points and Rakoz bringing down double-digit 10 boards for the on the night.

The depth of the Warriors offense is something Von Vogt has worked hard on establishing, "I really do believe this is the most versatile team we have had since I've been here. We can score in different ways, from the three-point line or at the rim. Our versatility is going to come in handy when one option is taken away, we'll be able to go to something else."

Tonight kicked off a five-game home stint for the Warriors with their next game coming up Monday, October 30th against Simpson University at 7:30 pm. 

"Tonight's game allowed us to see the areas we need to address in practice before we suit up Monday against a very hungry Simpson squad," concluded Von Vogt.
   
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).