COSTA MESA, Calif – The Warriors wrapped up their final road trip of the regular season by defeating the No. 6 ranked Vanguard University Lions 89-85 in overtime. This wasn't only an important date with a Top-25 matchup on the schedule and chance for the Warriors to sweep the GSAC top-ranked Lions, but it's also the birthday of teammate, the late Kevin McLemore.

After the game, head coach Lance Von Vogt noted that this game, "Was a great college basketball game and one of the best wins I've been a part of across two decades of coaching."

The game started off a bit rocky for the Warriors as they fell behind early, trailing the Lions 17-4 after six minutes of action. The Warriors never held the lead in the first half but would close out the first twenty minutes on a 12-4 scoring run as they were only down by three points at intermission, 34-31. 

Each team went back-and-forth to start the second half, but the Warriors started to make a run, courtesy of Tyras Rattler Jr. The senior forward would go on to make two free throws to tie the game, and the ensuing possession on defense recording a steal and dunked it giving the Warriors a two-point advantage, 44-42. 

As the game continued on, things looked bleak down the stretch as the Warriors trailed by three with twenty-seven seconds left. Once again, it was Rattler Jr. making plays to help his team as he converted a three-point play after getting fouled on a layup. Despite tying the game up at 69-69, the Lions would make one of two free throws after being fouled with only twelve seconds remaining. 

The Warriors had possession down by one with a chance to ice the game but would turn the ball over. After the Warriors quickly fouled and sent the Lions back to the free throw line, they were down 69-72 with two seconds on the clock. Wilson LaShells' ensuing inbounds pass went the length of the floor as Keith Phillips made a leaping catch then proceeded to knock down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game to overtime. 

Coach Von Vogt said that "Kevin was there with us helping hit that shot." 

In the overtime period, Phillips would continue to put the team on his back scoring 13 of his game-high 28 points in the overtime period. The Warriors momentum would carry them to victory as they upset the No. 6 ranked Lions, 89-85. 

Von Vogt concluded with "This group of guys are special and they sacrifice for one another and there is no quit in this team." He continued by saying, "Vanguard was amazing and is a great team. Today the ball bounced our way."  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)