FULLERTON, Calif. - Jessup men's basketball started their two-game road series against another ranked opponent in No. 19 Hope International. Earning a win in overtime at their last meeting early in the season, the Warriors sparked a 20-4 run to take the lead and didn't look back as they defeated the nationally recognized Royals 89-75 to advance to 15-6, 6-3.

Competing in one of the toughest gyms in the conference, the Warriors had only won a single other time on the Royals' home court back in 2012. Tonight marked the first sweep the Warriors have clinched over the Royals in conference matchups in a season. 

It is a tremendously hard to come in and win against a ridiculously talented team under Coach Czech on their home court, head coach Lance Von Vogt commented. "It is a great win to build off of after facing a Top 25 team on the road at a perennial powerhouse that rarely loses at home. The win shows our team's continued growth, every year we are reaching new heights doing things that haven't been done before."

The opening half would be an even match as both teams exchanged baskets through the first 10 minutes of play, a new ballgame at the halfway point as both teams were locked at 22. The Warriors would hit a 5-0 stride, but the home team would not budge cutting that lead to as little as two with just a minute remaining in the half.

The Warriors would take the 44-40 edge after the Royals scored a late layup to close the gap defending their successful home-court record, before tonight having lost only twice in Darling Pavilion this season. 

Bouncing back and forth, the score would fluctuate with the Warriors on top through the start of the second half, but still within reach, for the Royals to gain leverage as they cut the Warriors' double-figure lead to 8 just shy of the midway point of the final half.

But the Warriors answered back with what could be their largest run of the season taking a 24-point lead achieved by a 20-4 run over nearly 6 minutes. 

With just under 5 minutes in regulation, the Warriors maintained the lead for the 89-75 final to defeat the Royals for the second time this season. 

"As a team we talked about controlling the controllable, responding to the adversity, and making sure our emotions didn't get out of control for 40 minutes of play," Von Vogt was proud of his team, "We responded to adversity, showing mental and physical toughness and I believe that we controlled the tempo when we were in character, making it capable to play at a high level."

The Warriors were led by familiar starter, Keith Phillips who had 24 points on the night, but it didn't stop there as four other Warriors finished in double digits on the night, Antonio Lewis (16), Isaiah Milan (14), Tyras Rattler Jr. (12) and Darrell Polee (10).

Coach talks to the consistency of double figures from a number of guys each night, "We have a deep team, our starters and our top guys off the bench are sacrificing for each other. We have a group that is really learning how to play with one another and that breathes consistency." 

With the Warrior's win over the Royals, head coach Von Vogt reached his 100th win in program history.

"I am so grateful for all the guys that have been a part of building the program. As a coach, you are not scoring a point, but hopefully giving structure and leadership to the great group of men," Von Vogt said. "All the credit goes to guys on the floor and my support at home.  Without my wife and daughters, I don't have the energy and support I am blessed to have  to coach the game of basketball."

Tonight marked the halfway point through GSAC matchups, so the Warriors will continue on the road Saturday to face Life Pacific College before heading home for a large portion of games remaining.

"We are positioned really well and it's going to be a race to the finish," Von Vogt concluded "We have games remaining at home which is going to bode well for us down the finish, as the league continues it's going to be anybody's race. This league is the best in the country and we are going to have to be at our best to contend for the championship."
   
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).