ROCKLIN, Calif. - After taking care of business on opening night, the William Jessup women's basketball team kept the momentum rolling Friday afternoon with a 74-58 victory over the Oregon Tech Owls to kick off the annual Bill Holtz Classic.

Though the final score favored the Warriors by a wide margin, it was anything but a blowout in the first half.

Sophomore guard Joelyn Stirton got things started with a three-ball followed by a drive and lay-in by Liz Gehweiler. Early season jitters were on display the rest of the quarter, though, as both squads combined for 11 turnovers through the first eight minutes.

With neither team able to hit their stride, the first period ended with Jessup holding a 14-10 advantage in part to a flashy buzzer-beating runner from Aycee Willis.

The second quarter theme was much alike the first quarter--turnovers and free throws. 

The Lady Warriors forced six more Owl turnovers. However, defenders were unable to hinder Owls sharp shooter Kristin Farrell as she splashed down two three-pointers.

Freshman Jaqueline Magana was able to score three unanswered points before heading into halftime to give Jessup a 29-23 lead.

With the help of some halftime adjustments from head coach Kurt Westendorp, Jessup came out scorching hot to start the second half. 

Creonah Bryant swished a trey ball immediately followed by another from Stirton. The Lady Warriors forced five more turnovers in the quarter, allowing Gehweiler and company to get out in transition for some easy lay-ins.

Willis caught lightning in a bottle yet again before the buzzer, using a nifty up-and-under post move to give the Warriors a 53-39 lead heading into the final frame.

The Warriors tallied 24 points in the quarter, including seven from Gehweiler.

More feisty defense and easy fast break buckets aided Jessup on an 11-2 run to start the fourth.

A late full-court press effort, led by Amanda Constance and Melissa Lee, trimmed the Warrior lead to 66-53 with 5:35 remaining, but Miranda Zaragoza and Stirton the rest of the way. 

The Lady Warriors help off the Owls, who were missing their leading scorer from last season in Abby Kresier, to walk away with their second victory of the season with a final score of 74-58.

Five Warrior players reached double-digits in scoring, including Zaragoza who paced the Warriors with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. Stirton added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Gehweiler, Willis, and Bryant each chipped in 11, 11, and 10, respectively.

Maddyson Tull led the Owls in scoring with 11 points, while Courtney Klemmer added 9 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lady Warriors will look for their third straight victory to kickoff the season Saturday night at 7:30pm against Southeastern University to close out day-two of the annual Bill Holtz Classic.
  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).