The Warriors started Tuesday's game with an aggressive defensive mindset as they grabbed a 15-7 lead by the first media timeout.

Coach Kurt Westendorp said in addition to his teams early spark, their free throw shooting and offensive rebounding kept them afloat. "It was great to see our team get to the free-throw line as often as we did tonight. I think it's a good sign for us as a team. We weren't super sharp offensively but we did a nice job on the offensive boards getting numerous second chance opportunities."

Stuggling shooting from the field on both ends of the court to start the game, Jessup countered that by grabbing five offensive rebounds in the opening 10 minutes that helped them earn a 22-14 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, the Warriors quickly took their first double-digit lead of the game at the 7:32 mark after a layup from Miranda Zaragoza. As she's done most of the year, Zaragoza had another strong game inside the paint for Jessup racking up a team-high 19 points and 14 rebounds. Her performance was also her seventh double-double this year.

Nonetheless, Simpson hung tough and kept themselves within striking distance as Jessup led 33-25 at halftime. 

In the third quarter, the Warriors pushed their lead back to double figures behind consecutive putbacks from Zaragoza and two free throws from Creonah Bryant. But the Warriors' run didn't stop there as JoeLyn Stirton scored, then Bryant hit a driving layup, and  Juliette Caughey hit a deep three capping the run giving them a 17-point lead with 3:36 left (49-32). 

By the end of three quarters Jessup was on cruise control as they led by 18 heading into the final 10 minutes, 56-38. 

The fourth quarter began just how Jessup had hoped as they took a 20-point lead after two free throws from Liz Gehweiler, but Simpson wasn't done as the Red Hawks put together a 10-0 run cutting Jessup's advantage with just over 8 minutes left to play in regulation.

Simpson later took even more of the momentum when they went on a 5-0 run by the 6:05 mark and Jessup was clinging to a five-point lead. 

But in Warrior fashion, Gehweiler and Zaragoza made the two biggest plays of the night as they each scored on and-one opportunities on back-to-back possessions that gave the Warriors the breathing room needed to bring home the win. 

After Zaragoza's double-double, Bryant also had a strong game with 18 points and three assists. Gehweiler rounded out the Warriors trio of double-figure scorers with 15 points and seven rebounds. Caughey also had a nice game off the bench adding a season-high nine points on 3-for-4 from three-point range.

As a team, the Warriors shot an impressive 17-for-19 from the charity stripe, and out rebounded Simpson 43-to-29.

While his team didn't execute as well as he'd hoped, Westendorp said he's optimistic that they'll figure it out. "With only one game remaining before a break for Christmas, I'm looking forward to our team being sharp on Thursday to finish out 2019."

The Warriors will play host to Cal Maritime for an early 1pm tip-off Thursday as the contest will be their final one before GSAC play resumes in the new year.
   
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).