ROCKLIN, Calif.  - Jessup returned to Horton Court on Saturday for Salute to Service Day to honor those in the community that work in public service. It was the second home contest for the Warriors and second time facing a nationally ranked opponent, this time facing No. 16 Westmont College where they battled but were unable to make the final plays to end on top dropping the battle of the Warriors 80-71.

Head coach in his fifth season, Lance Von Vogt was very happy with the effort his team gave today. "I believe the guys played for each other in the team, unfortunately we didn't make enough plays at the end to win the game. Anytime you give a team like Westmont extra opportunities they are going to capitalize. They are probably the highest basketball IQ team in the country year in and year out. Coach Moore does a great job with them and today I believe that they did a great job in executing his game plan."

Trailing out the gate, Jessup chipped away at the early lead to tie it up 11-11 with a long ball from Luke Walker followed by a pair of free throws by Brandon Lindsey to take their first lead just 7 minutes into the half.

The home Warriors would maintain the front advantage midway through the first half with a 9-0 run to go up 25-16 with under 8 minutes to play. But Westmont would answer back to cut the Warrior's lead with an and-one conversion and a late layup as Jessup held the edge 32-31 at halftime.

The first five minutes of the second half both teams would have the lead at one point but sophomore Wilson LaShells would hit back-to-back from downtown for the Warriors for the one-point advantage (43-42).

Westmont would take the double-digit lead with a 12-1 run, but the Warriors answered back not too shortly after with an 11-2 run to cut the Westmont lead to 5 with under 8 minutes remaining.

With less than a minute to play, the Warriors would get within 7 points as LaShells found Brennan Rakoz in the paint, but Westmont would make 5-of-6 from the charity stripe down the stretch to extend the lead for an 80-71 finish.

"Ultimately we have to play as smart as we do hard throughout the game. Today was an example where we competed very hard but sometimes lack direction and poise and composure in the key moments," Von Vogt added, "We lost too many assignments and defensively didn't finish possessions with rebounds." 

LaShells would lead the Warriors going 4-for-6 from the arc with 14 points, followed by Keith Phillips would bring down 4 rebounds with 14 points and Tate DeLaVeaga who closed out with 11 points.

Jessup will take to the road for their final road trip of the regular season to face Hope International on Thursday and Vanguard University on Friday.

"As we progress to our final Southern California trip taking on Hope and Vanguard next weekend we will need to continue the effort and combined it with more smart play," Von Vogt concluded. "Undoubtedly, we will be tested and we will have to stay together to be successful."

   
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).