ROCKLIN, Calif. -  The Warriors concluded their final game of 2017 and last preseason contest in style tying the programs best at-home record with their 12th win on Horton Court Saturday afternoon in a 94-71 victory over Ottawa University of Arizona. 

"Today was a great day for us. The guys played for each other and the man upstairs. I really appreciated their energy and coachability," head coach in his fifth season for the Warriors, Lance Von Vogt said. "Our effort, discipline, and communication was much better today and I liked how we stayed in character offensively for about 35 of the 40 minutes."

The Warriors remain undefeated at home heading into GSAC matchups and have an overall program-best start going 14-2.

Junior starter, Tate DeLaVeaga says it's only the beginning and they hope to continue the streak, "It means a lot to us. That's our goal, is to go undefeated here at home and so far we've done that. We did a good job today, and we need to keep it rolling as conference starts in our next game."

"We just want to keep playing together, share the ball, and most of all protect home court," teammate and sixth man, Antonio Lewis added. "We just want to be ready every day by coming in and working hard and getting better for conference."

Strong from the start, the Warriors took the early lead and maintained it through the first half to head to the locker room with a 14-point advantage, 50-36 over the Spirit. Leading the charge at point was sophomore Brandon Lindsey who also led after the first 20-minutes with 13 points and a pair of assists.

"I can't say it enough, but Brandon Lindsey is becoming a complete point guard," Coach Von Vogt said. "He is no longer just a scoring point guard. He leads us in every phase of what we do."

The second half mirrored the first as the Warriors continued to dominate defensively, holding Ottawa to just one basket in the first 5-minutes of the half, and going up by as much as 26-points.

With just 7 points in the first half, offensive threat Keith Phillips came out in the second half scoring 17 points for 24 total, the game-high for the Warriors. Close behind was DeLaVeaga who was on fire from beyond the arc going 4-for-5 and shooting 60-percent from the field with 18 points. Closing out double-digits was Lindsey (14) and Lewis (14), who also added 9 boards.

"I just want to stay aggressive, and keep competing all over the floor," Lewis commented. "Most of all for rebounds, I just have a nose for the ball. I just have to keep attacking and grab every loose ball I see and help my teammates out the best that I can." 

Also contributing for the Warriors was Jayvon Stone and Brennan Rakoz said Von Vogt, "Stone did a great job off the bench tonight along with our sixth starter Tone. "But our x-factor continues to be Rakoz. The unsung things he does for us all over the court are irreplaceable."

The Warriors finished strong with the 24-point win to close out the year and preseason matchups. 

Up next Jessup will hit the road for their first two conference games facing Westmont College on Thursday, January 4th and then on to The Master's on Saturday, January 6th, both opponents receiving national recognition.

"It's conference play moving forward so we turn the page and buckle up for quite possibly the toughest conference schedule in the country," Von Vogt concluded. "It should be a lot of fun."
  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).