COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Lady Warriors closed out their two-game road trip with a historic win over the Vanguard Lions on Saturday, winning 61-50. 

Early on in the first quarter, it was a shoot-out that favored the Warriors, 14-13 after ten minutes of action. Ashlyn Jones was able to get back to her scoring ways as she had five of her ten points in the quarter to help the Warriors take an early lead. The Lions would come out on a mission scoring 17 points in the second quarter and Jessup trailed 30-21 at the half.

The Lions continued to pull away in the third quarter and held their largest lead of the game at 41-27, but the Warriors refused to quit. Anisah Smith converted on back-to-back three's as part of her game-high 17 points to help ignite the Warriors comeback. Before the third quarter came to a close, Lily Hagerty sunk a three to give the Warriors a momentous lift heading into the game's final frame.
 
The Warriors defense stood firm the fourth quarter and after two consecutive empty possessions for the Lions, Janelle Luu would respond with a layup and three-pointer of her own to get the Warriors within seven points of the lead.
 
With the tides turning, the Lions called for a timeout. Lily Hagerty, however, was able to keep the momentum rolling for the Warriors as she pulled down a crucial offensive rebound resulting in a layup for the Junior guard. Hagerty would go on to finish with 11 points and five rebounds. Moments later, Olivia Luu plucked a pass right out of the air and dished it off to Anisah Smith, and the Warriors were only down by three. 
 
In the game's waning moments with the shot-clock running low, Emilee Van Dyke threw a beautiful skip pass to the corner and Oliva Luu knocked down a three-pointer to take the lead back for the Warriors, 52-50. In the final minute, while holding on to a slim lead, Olivia Luu made sure her Warriors would stay on top as she drained a fade-away game-clinching three-pointer to take a five-point advantage. 

Defensively, the Warriors put together one their strongest efforts in program history as they held the Lions to 27% shooting from the field and only 12% from three. The Warriors stout defense and red-hot shooting from the field would lead them to stun the No. 8 team in the nation and give them their first-ever victory over Vanguard. 

After the game head coach Kurt Westendorp was in high-spirits and expressed his gratitude for his team saying, "I'm incredibly proud of the toughness and persistence we showed today. To put together a 4th quarter like we did after falling behind is a testament to the belief this team had in its ability to get a statement win."

The Warriors will be back home for their remaining three games and will see the court next on February 17 as they host Menlo in the annual Play4Kay night.   
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).