ROCKLIN, Calif. - The final game of the WJU Men's Basketball Holiday Tip-off was capped by the Warriors taking on down the Pacific Union Pioneers, 80-69 extending their win streak to four heading into the Christmas break 9-3 overall.

"Today we had a great opportunity against a very good Pacific Union team that was getting all their bodies back and available," head coach Lance Von Vogt said. "It was going to take a good team effort and I liked how we responded."

The Warriors were off to a quick start Wednesday afternoon where they held as much as a 9-point advantage in the first 5 minutes of action, but the Pioneers would chip away the lead by taking it into their own hands in the 8th minute of play on an 11-0 run.

The leading scorer on the night, Keith Phillips wouldn't let that happen for long as he countered their lead with back-to-back threes at the midway point of the opening half.

From there both teams would exchange baskets through the remainder of the period but the Warriors would have the edge taking a comfortable double-digit lead into the break, 37-26 with Phillips leading all scorers with 14 points. 

Von Vogt commented on the flux in lead changes to open the contest, "We had a good group out the gate and when we brought our guys in off the bench I thought our energy dropped initially as PUC went on an 11-0 run. But then we were able to correct and get back to a double-digit lead and finish the half strong." 

Phillips would open the second half with a quick basket followed by teammate Tate DeLaVeaga connecting from deep for the 14-point lead. The Warriors would extend their lead to as much to as much as 16 with 13 minutes left, but again the Pioneers showed no sign of letting up as they got within 8 points with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Antonio Lewis fresh off injury sparked things for the Warriors for the second game in a row with an and-one followed by another layup up the middle for 5-straight points. 

"I thought Keith and Antonio gave us a lift today," Von Vogt went on to say DeLaVeaga was an impact making an appearance in the starting line-up and coming up with a couple key shots. 

A late 6-0 run by the Pioneers in the last minute would close the gap, but the buzzer would end that run as the Warriors took the 80-69 win over the Pioneers.

Phillips led the Warriors with 22 points on the night while teammate Lewis had a strong night posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Close behind was Austin Dill with 12 points and 7 boards, Jayden DeJoseph with 10 points and Wilson LasShells with 10.  

"It is nice to end the first semester with a win right before Christmas so we can enjoy the holiday," Von Vogt concluded. "Additionally as we enter the Christmas season we want our guys to be able to play for the audience of one and the man upstairs. "Tonight the game was very competitive and I liked how our guys kept their heads down and kept composure throughout, showing real character and sportsmanship in a competitive game."

Jessup will break for Christmas before returning right back to Horton Court shortly after hosting the New Year's Classic Dec. 27 through Dec. 29th taking on St. Katherine on Thursday at 7:30 pm and UC Merced on Saturday at 3 pm for Faith Day.   
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).