ROCKLIN, Calif. - In their first matchup after Christmas, the Jessup men's basketball team kept the gifts coming as they posted a 20-point victory to tip-off the 2018 New Year's Classic over St. Katherine, improving to 10-3 overall.

"The first game after Christmas break can always be a little dicey and tonight was no different for us," head coach Lance Von Vogt commented. "It was an uneven game for us, but we figured it out and earned a comfortable victory."

It was a record-setting night for senior Keith Phillips who posted a new program-best 40 points, also completing his fourth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Halfway through the season, the starting forward has a total 755 career points, 8th best in the record books and 331 rebounds which puts him sixth overall in program history.

Von Vogt commented on the outstanding performance, "Keith was special tonight and I think that is only the beginning for him. Forty points on 21 shots is really hard to do, but that's why he is an All-American." 

But there was another piece to the dynamic duo as Antonio Lewis tallied his third double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds, just a couple games back from injury.

"Tone is really starting to round into shape as the season has progressed," Von Vogt continued, "I like the way he is playing right now. He has a nose for the ball and is just always in the mix."

It was a shooting dual to start things off in the first half as the Warriors would maintain the lead, but small runs from the Firebirds would keep them within three points midway through the opening half. But an 11-0 run by the dynamic duo would put the Warriors at an 18-point advantage. While the Firebirds answered back for a couple of baskets, Jessup closed out the first half up 46-33.

A 7-0 run for St. Katherine would cut the Warrior lead to single digits, but back-to-back baskets by Isaiah Milan and Keith Phillips would put that number back into double-digits with 13 minutes remaining in the game.  

Milan went on to score another basket for the Warriors and led the team despite foul trouble down the stretch, "Zay is developing into a true point guard and learning how to lead the team which will only pay dividends during league play," said Von Vogt.

Another 11-0 run for the Warriors would take the lead to 22, but the Firebirds didn't give up hitting three from beyond the arc to close out the game 68 points to the Warriors 86.

With the final game of the 2018 New Year's Classic this Saturday, the Warriors will face UC Merced at 3 pm for Church Partner Day in Warrior Arena. After that, they return to conference matchups with back-to-back top-ranked opponents in The Master's and Westmont next week.

 "I'm excited to see the team play once we have all guys healthy and hitting on all cylinders."

   
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).