SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Heading into their first conference matchup of the season, the William Jessup men's basketball team tipped off their first of two road games at Westmont College for the Battle of the Warriors. With an 8-game winning streak and national recognition this week ranked No. 22 in the country, Jessup battled but came up short in the final seconds to the home Warriors 74-72, now 14-3, 0-1 to start GSAC play.
"It was a tough loss tonight in a hostile environment. We understand these road games are going to be dogfights and tonight Westmont made one more play than us and was rewarded with the victory," head coach for the Warriors
Lance Von Vogt reflected.
In the final minute of play Jessup would tie it up twice, but offensive boards would decide the fate for Jessup as a short three delivered by Westmont's Gerald Karczewski was snagged by teammate Sean Harman for a second chance look and what would be the winning basket with 4-seconds remaining.
"Giving up this three offensive boards down the stretch after executing our defense perfectly allowed Westmont to win the game," said Von Vogt. "Credit Westmont for taking it to us on the boards and in the paint. That doesn't happen to us often, but tonight it did."
Up 8-2 out the gate, Westmont chipped away at the Warriors lead through the first half taking it over at the 5-minute mark by one. But that wouldn't last long as Jessup regained momentum and the advantage headed into the locker room at the break, 36-32.
The home-court Warriors dominated the key crashing the boards and scoring with 46 points in the paint and 13 second-chance points to Jessup's 24 points in the paint while leaving center defenders
Brennan Rakoz and
Keith Phillips in foul trouble.
"I really thought (Olisa) Nwache was the difference for them tonight," Von Vogt stated. "His toughness and energy tonight really affected us especially when Brennan and Keith were both sitting on the bench with four fouls."
Trailing by 8 and in need of a spark,
Luis Medearis delivered draining a three from downtown at the midway point of the second half, while
Tate DeLaVeaga added a quick layup followed by
Keith Phillips to go on a 7-0 run and force a Westmont timeout.
Offensively the Warriors were led by Medearis with 19 points and two assists, while teammate
Keith Phillips tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Also closing out in double figures was
Antonio Lewis (14) and
Brennan Rakoz (12).
Von Vogt said, "I felt like we pressed offensively tonight because we wanted to win so bad and that led us to some empty possessions where we didn't execute well or get the shot we wanted."
It will be a short trip and quick turnaround for Jessup as they prepare for GSAC matchup number two of the week visiting The Master's University on Saturday, the nationally ranked No. 5 team in the country with tipoff slated at 3 pm.
"If I know anything about this squad is that we will bounce back for Saturday's contest and be ready to go," Coach Von Vogt concluded. "We will need it as Master's is as good as it gets and a favorite to win the national title. We will have our hands full, but I believe the guys will be ready."
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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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).
