MERCED, Calif. - Playing their fourth-consecutive road game, the men's basketball team traveled to Merced to take on the Bobcats in a mid-week contest looking to clinch their second road win of the season. The Warrior's defense reigned true forcing 21 turnovers while shooting well offensively for the 73-57 victory over the Bobcats, now 7-2 midway through non-conference matchups.

"Our team defense tonight really helped us control the game at the tempo we want to play," head coach Lance Von Vogt reflected after the game. "I really liked how we turned them over 21 times in our press without giving up too much on the back end."

Both teams came out strong to start the game exchanging points through the first five minutes of play before the Warriors' bench made their first subs sparking the offensive burst. Sophomore Austin Dill would lead the trio hitting one from downtown for the 14-11 advantage, followed by an added three from Wilson Lashells (17-11) and capped by Antonio Lewis for the final basket from beyond the arc in the 9-2 run over their first two minutes of play.

The Warrior bench would combine for 24 points against the Bobcats led by Lewis who finished with his first double-double of the season, 16 points and 12 rebounds.

"I thought that our bench did a great job tonight keeping the intensity when we made substitutions," said Von Vogt. "Antonio really led that charge with a double-double and some terrific defensive intensity. Ton is like a 6th starter for us and he will be invaluable for us moving forward."

Heading into the break the Warriors held a 13-point advantage, 41-28 and would maintain the momentum through the start of the second half with as much as a 19-point lead on set by a three from Keith Phillips less than three minutes into the final half.

Down the stretch, the Bobcats would make a run to get within 7, but the Warriors answered back with tough defense and a 9-0 surge to lead 67-53 with three minutes remaining. Four Warriors led the offensive spark in double figures; Lewis (16), Brandon Lindsey (13), Tate DeLaVeaga (13) and Phillips (10).

Von Vogt was pleased to see his team's turnaround the past week over Thanksgiving break, "Finally it was great to see us start shooting the ball well again tonight after our drought before Thanksgiving. While we win with our defense when we hit shots it makes us a lot better which bodes well moving forward. "

The Warriors will return home this Saturday, December 2nd to welcome Cal State Maritime to Horton Court with a scheduled 7:30 pm tipoff.

   
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).