ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Warriors started the day learning they received votes in the second NAIA Women's Basketball Top-25 Coaches Poll, just the third recognition in program history. They continued this evening taking on UC Merced in a non-conference matchup that was down to the wire, but Jessup dropped just their second game of the season after eight-straight wins, 74-69. 

It was a close battle out the gate as both teams would exchange baskets through the opening 10-minutes of play as the Warriors held the 13-7 advantage after the first quarter.  The Warriors would extend that lead to as much as 12 points early in the second quarter, 22-10. 

The Bobcats would attempt to claw their way back midway through the quarter but five-straight points from leading scorer for the night, JoeLyn Stirton would secure the 37-25 lead headed into the break. 

Another back and forth start would open the third quarter as Jessup maintained the lead through the first half, but the Bobcats chipped away at the lead as the Warriors had the slight edge with one quarter remaining, 57-52.

The game would be tied at the 7-minute mark of the final quarter, 59 apiece before the Bobcats took their first lead at the four-minute mark. The teams would go back-and-forth but Merced would maintain the lead to steal the win, 73-69 as the Warriors fall to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in GSAC.

Stirton led the Warriors with a career-high 18 points going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, while teammates Lily Hagerty (16) and Anisah Smith (14) joined the freshman in double figures. 

Conference play will return for the Warriors on Saturday as they travel to NorCal rival Menlo College for a 5:30 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).