ROCKLIN, Calif. - Hoping to end their season on a bright note after already being eliminated from playoff contention, the William Jessup women's basketball team showed grit and maturity in a grueling 70-67 victory over San Diego Christian. 

It was all Warriors in the early-going as Jessup began on a 7-0 run to start the ballgame. Not long after, Sara Vasquez knocked one down from long range to push their lead to double-digits early in the first quarter. 

The final five minutes were not kind to the Warriors on offense, though, as they managed to score just two points. In the meantime, the Hawks were able to catch back up and take a 20-16 lead before the first period would finally end. 

ROCKLIN, Calif. - After trading baskets for much of the second quarter, Jessup found their stroke from the outside and at a premium rate. Lily Hagerty became the first, followed by another from Vasquez, one from Anisah Smith, and yet another from Vasquez. The Warriors would hit four-straight trey-balls before the half to give them a 32-30 lead at the break.

Back-and-forth the conference rivals would go to start the second half. Fortunately for the Warriors, Ashlyn Jones found her stroke in the third. Dazzling her way in the paint, Jones worked her way inside to draw contact and earn free throws, while also making her point-blank shots to score eight points in the third period. 

The third period saw four lead changes with the Hawks going into the final period with the slight 47-46 edge. 

In a game featuring two teams seemingly very evenly matched, the Lady Warriors were determined to prove they were the better team in the final quarter. 

Hagerty got things started off hot with a three-ball from long-range, immediately followed by a Leilua Iosia lay-in to begin the fourth quarter. Shortly after, the hot-hand of the night Vasquez would hit her fourth three-pointer to put Jessup up 57-54 with six minutes remaining. 

The Warrior lead would reach as high as six before the Hawks responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead right back. 

With the game knotted up at 64-all, Jones would put her Warriors in the lead for good after finding some space down underneath for the eventual game-winning bucket with just 29 seconds left to play. 

After hitting some much-needed free throws to seal the game, it was the Warriors walking away with their fourth GSAC victory of the season. 

Jones led the Warrior charge with a monstrous double-double: 19 points and 17 rebounds. Hagerty finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Vasquez and Smith each chipped in 12.

The Lady Warriors will wrap up the regular season with Senior Day in a matchup against Arizona Christian at 1 pm on Saturday.   
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).