COSTA MESA, Calif. -  The Jessup men's basketball team ended their final regular-season road series on a high note, snapping their three-game skid with an 86-72 victory over the Vanguard Lions to improve to 18-9, 4-7. 

"This was a great example of sticking with it even though we hadn't been getting the results on the scoreboard as of late. Today we broke through and put it all together," head coach Lance Von Vogt said. "All in all I really liked what I saw in our defensive intensity along with the poise and composure to execute against heavy pressure offensively. "

Off to a strong start, the Warriors set the pace with a 7-0 run to push their lead to double-digits (22-10) at the 12-minute mark in the first half. But the Lions would chip away at the lead to get within one-point with six minutes remaining. 

It didn't take long for the Warriors to put up 10 points in the following three minutes to take a comfortable 9-point lead into the break with Antonio Lewis leading the way with 13 points and Tate DeLaVeaga 10 points.

In the first half, the Warriors shot an impressive 54-percent from the field and continued that same offensive success in the second half shooting 54-percent again.

"Our guys competed for the full 40 minutes tonight and thus we were able to maintain and extend that halftime lead," Von Vogt said.  "We've been trying to grow mentally to learn how to close out these games where we have leads at halftime and today we showed the growth we are looking for. "

The Warriors would maintain the lead through the final 20-minutes of play holding the Lions to just 44-percent from the field. The Lions would get within two possessions just five minutes into the final half, but the Warriors would quickly extend the lead with a deep three delivered by DeLaVeaga.

Teamwork solidified the Warriors their fourth conference win with four in double figures. Leading the force was DeLaVeaga who had 20 points, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, with Antonio Lewis garnering 19 points and 9 rebounds. Keith Phillips would finish with 17 points, and Brandon Lindsey would finish with a double-double, 11 points, and 10 rebounds.

Von Vogt was pleased with those in the stat line, and those that were a silent impact, "We had a lot of outstanding contributions today, but Austin Dill really contributed doing all the dirty work that doesn't show up in the box score. Also, Antonio did a great job for us off the bench, not only with his scoring but also his defense and rebounding. "

The Warriors will return home for their final three games of conference play hosting Menlo College on Saturday at 7:30 pm, followed by San Diego Christian (2/22) and Arizona Christian (2/24).

"Our last three conference games are at home and they are all big as we look to improve our GSAC seed as well as position ourselves for another bid to nationals," Von Vogt concluded.
   
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).