ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Warriors entered their last game of the regular season in a matchup against the 21st ranked Arizona Christian University.  Not only was it the final home game of the season, but also senior day and what better way to go out but with a second-half surge to beat the Firestorm. In the end, the Warriors won, 68-62, ended regular-season conference play 11-7.

"Today was the culmination of a ton of hard work and dedication by the seniors that we honored today," head coach Kurt Westendorp reflected.  "To be able to close out this game and their careers at Warrior Arena in this manner was incredible."

The first quarter saw the Warriors pushing for the offensive, however, the Firestorm was able to keep the Warriors at bay. Four Warriors were able to connect, but it wasn't enough as the Warriors trailed, 17-8, at the end of the first quarter.

The Warriors struggled in the first quarter to find their shot, but the second quarter saw a stronger offense as Miranda Zaragoza and Emilee VanDyke upped their shots to seven and six respectively. Still down at the break, the Warriors trailed 34-22 at the half. 

Creonah Bryant came to life in the third as she found multiple opportunities to steal, giving Jessup key possessions, and ended the quarter with six points. But she wasn't alone as Hagerty and VanDyke also found the momentum that Bryant tapped into and was able to land choice layups and threes.

With four minutes left in the half, the Warriors were trailing by five. With one minute remaining, Olivia Luu pulled the Warriors into the lead with a layup followed by a three-pointer. Bryant followed suit and added a layup of her own to end the third quarter in the lead, 50-45.

The Warriors found momentum in the third and continued that full-speed approach into the fourth. Hagerty found her stride in the fourth quarter ended the game leading the team with 16, Luu had 13, and Gehweiler followed with 12, awarding themselves the victory! 

The Warriors earned 40 rebounds as a whole, 29 defensive and 11 offensive. VanDyke led that column with 11 rebounds to her name while Gehweiler was right behind with nine. The biggest contribution to the second half success for the Warriors was seen in their teamwork. The Warriors had 18 assists, seven of which came from Luu. 

"We had many opportunities to fold today when things weren't going our way early," but Westendorp went on to say, "But the toughness and resilience we showed up and down the roster tells you what kind of student-athletes we have.  I'm extremely proud of every single one of them!"

Jessup will head to the GSAC Women's Basketball Tournament next Thursday where they await their opponent as the fields are still to be set in tonight's GSAC outcomes.  
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).