ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Warriors returned home for the first time in nearly two weeks welcoming local conference foe, Menlo College to Horton Court for a Saturday evening matchup. Strong out the gate, the Warriors weren't able to maintain momentum and lost a close battle with the Oaks down the stretch 68-61. 

Starting out on a high note, the Warriors took an 11-2 lead just five minutes into regulation with each basket scored by a different player. The Oaks would chip away at the lead, but not before Keith Phillips would launch back-to-back threes as the Warriors took a 17-6 lead at the 13-minute mark.

The Warriors would extend the lead to as much as 12 in the first half with strong efforts from Austin Dill from behind the arc and Luis Medearis, but the Oaks would answer back 13-0 run to take their first lead of the game (31-30) with less than a minute remaining in the half. Phillips would fourth three of the game (4-of-6) in the remaining seconds, followed by a flip under the basket by Dill from Antonio Lewis to go up headed into the break, 35-33.

The second half would favor the Oaks as the Warriors held the lead through the first five minutes of the half, but Menlo would take their final lead to finish at the 10-minute mark.

Down the stretch, Menlo would lead by as much as 7 but the Warriors would continue to answer on the other end keeping it a one-to-two possession game with less than two minutes remaining to play. 

Phillips would hit the glass for a bucket in the paint at the 1:56 mark and the Warriors would call a quick timeout to regain focus. But unfortunate fouls would send the Oaks to the line 5 times, going 5-for-6 to solidify the win, 68-61 and punch their ticket to the conference tournament.

Phillips led the Warriors offensively with 22 points and 8 rebounds, with teammates Tate DeLaVeaga (11) and Brandon Lindsey (10) also in double figures.

The Warriors will return to Horton Court for their final two home games of the season next week, Thursday, Feb. 22 (7:30 pm) and Saturday, Feb. 24 (3 pm) looking to earn two wins before taking their place in the fifth or sixth spot at the GSAC Tournament. Jessup is 4-8, tied with Menlo in the conference standings each will face Arizona Christian and San Diego Christian next week.
   
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).