ROCKLIN, Calif. - Jessup men's basketball traveled to Norcal rival Menlo College Saturday night for what was sure to be a showdown as the Oaks were riding a 4-game win streak, the last three against the highest ranked teams in the conference. Down by 20 points in the final half, a 23-4 run over eight minutes would tip the Warriors way as they defeated the Oaks 94-90 to advance to 9-4 in GSAC matchups.

Head coach Lance Von Vogt could not say enough about the Warriors heart in the comeback victory, "I love the heart and the fight in this team. They are something special. All the guys stayed positive and willed our way to victory. This is the type of win that Kevin (McLemore) would love, so we are sending this one up to him in heaven, as the guys dedicated it to him after the game."

The Warriors would hold the slight advantage for a large portion of the first half before the home Oaks found their groove and regained the lead with 7 minutes remaining in the first half. Trying to find their way back, leading scorer in the first half, Antonio Lewis would get the Warriors within two with just under four minutes to play, but Menlo would continue to extend the margin closing out the first 20 minutes of play up 51-44.

Both teams sitting at 58-percent shooting headed into the second half, the Warriors and Oaks would exchange baskets through the first four minutes before Menlo hit four straight three's in the same amount of possession to go on a 15-2 run over 3 minutes to force a Jessup timeout, the Oaks up by 20 with 13 minutes remaining.

"We were out of it, almost like sleepwalking for the first 25 minutes or so of the game," Von Vogt commented. "And Menlo brought it and was absolutely destroying us. They were hustling everywhere and making big time shots. They are a very good team."

But as we have seen before, the Warriors continue to play with heart and answered back to the Oaks' shooting spell with their own reign in the Oaks' Prim. Jessup would chip their way back after that 13-minute mark with a 31-12 run to the finish, the most impressive ten final minutes a 27-10 run.

The Warriors would take their first lead since midway through the opening half with just 1:18 left to play. A layup by Tyras Rattler Jr. and a free-throw by Keith Phillips would put the Warriors on top 92-88 with seconds on the clock, but a quick layup by the Oaks would make it a one-possession game again. Nevertheless, a timely timeout and play set up by Von Vogt would end the game with a jam as the ball was inbounded to Keith Phillips who backdoor cut his defender and delivered the slam dunk to seal the deal for the Warriors in the 94-90 victory.  

Phillips would record a double-double with 23 points, 18 in the second half, and 10 rebounds, while Lewis was right behind with his 22 point appearance. Another three would contribute double figures as Rattler Jr. (18), Austin Dill (14) and Isaiah Milan (12) filled the scoresheet. 

It was a team effort for the Warriors as many contributed in more than just the points column.

Von Vogt said, "So many guys contributed tonight it is hard to identify one or two guys to compliment, but Austin Dill off the bench was fantastic. Tyras and Tone made big-time game-changing shots and Zay really ratcheted up the defense and closed the game down for us on that end."

The Warriors will take their final road trip of the regular season next week taking on San Diego Christian on Thursday and facing the No. 1 team in the conference, Vanguard University on Saturday.  
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).