SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Facing the highest ranked opponent in the conference, the Warriors traveled to No. 6 The Master's University where there were 15 lead changes and 4 ties in the 40 minutes of play. Down by just one with three seconds remaining, the Mustangs sealed the deal with a pair of free throws that handed the Warriors their first conference defeat, 81-78.

Head coach Lance Von Vogt reflected on the top-25 matchup, "We got better tonight and we stayed together throughout. The Master's is, in my opinion, is one of the top couple teams in the country. The ball bounced their way at the end, but that doesn't diminish the toughness, togetherness and heart our team showed tonight." 

The Warriors would jump to an early lead in the first couple minutes of the game, but the lead would continue to go back-and-forth as the home team would take the three-point lead midway through the opening half. But it didn't take too long for the Warriors to answer back as starting forward Isaiah Milan hit one from downtown to tie it up 23 each with just over 7 minutes remaining.

Another three lead changes would happen in the last five minutes, the Warriors taking the advantage from the Mustangs in the final minutes as Keith Phillips hit a jumper for the one-point lead at the break. Tyras Rattler Jr. led the Warriors at the break going 3-for-4 from the arc with 11 points, while Phillips was close behind with 10.

The second half would mirror the first with a lead change just two minutes in. Midway through the final period, both teams would be locked at 46, followed by a three-pointer by Darrell Polee to put the Warriors on top 49-48 with just under 12 minutes to play.

A 12-2 run by The Master's would give them their largest lead of the game, 69-58 with less than 7 minutes remaining. But the Warriors didn't quite as they cut the lead to two with the same in minutes remaining. Continuing to battle down to the final seconds, Polee made it a one-point game with a layup up the middle, just six-seconds remaining in regulation. But a pair of free throws in the final three seconds would favor No. 6 Mustangs for the 81-78 victory as the Warriors are now 2-1 in GSAC matchups.

Five Warriors would work hard to contribute double figures led by NAIA Player of the Week, Phillips with 24 points and teammates Milan (17), Lewis (12), Rattler Jr. (11) and Polee (10) adding their names to the list.

"This group of guys have a chance to be special and we are far from a finished product at this point in the season," Von Vogt commented. "We will continue to keep our heads down and put in the work so we can be better each day."

The Warriors will continue their road trip on Saturday against Westmont College in Mott Gymnasium at 3 pm before heading home for the next conference series. 

Von Vogt commented on the upcoming matchup, "We have Westmont on Saturday and that's going to be a real test to prepare for them in just one day. I believe our guys will be up for the task and we will give them everything we have. "
   
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).