ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Jessup Warriors faced the No. 2 Vanguard Lions on Horton Court Friday night in the first tip-off of the semifinals at the GSAC Men's Basketball Tournament. A large lead would diminish down the stretch as two nationally ranked teams battled to the buzzer with the Warriors advancing to their first GSAC Championship game in program history Saturday night at 6 pm in the 79-75 victory.

Head coach Lance Von Vogt commented on his team's performance after the game, "I am really proud of how our guys responded when Vanguard made their run tonight. We knew that it was gonna be a 40-minute game and we knew that Vanguard wasn't going quit."  

Picking up where they left off with the Lions last time in Warrior Arena, the Warriors were off to a hot start managing a 9-point lead in the first 5 minutes of play. With another 5 minutes under them, they would reach the double-figure lead (24-14) and push it to as much as 13 points to close out the opening half. A comfortable 45-33 advantage would be in the Warrior's favor headed into the locker room at the break.

But as both teams have proved before in their two previous matchups, where the Warriors hold the 2-0 lead, each team is capable of battling back when down by any large deficit. 

With their largest lead of 15-points at the 16:30 mark, the Warriors would carry that double-figure lead to the midway point of the second half, 60-46. But the Lions weren't done yet as they chipped away at the home court's lead going on a 7-0 run, following it up with back-to-back three's to make it a two-point game with a little over 4 minutes to play.

The Warriors would never lose the lead down the stretch, but the Lions would get as close as one-point with 37 seconds remaining in regulation, the Championship matchup on the line. Nonetheless, the Warriors showed resilience to the buzzer sinking four-of-four free throws under pressure to finish on top, 79-75.

Offensively the Warriors were led by a familiar trip in Keith Phillips (23), Tyras Rattler Jr. (18) and Isaiah Milan (16). Also in double figures was Antonio Lewis with 10 points and Darrell Polee and Brandon Lindsey with 6 points each respectively.

"We had a lot of guys contribute tonight in a very physical game. Vanguard does such a great job of running you out of your sets that we had to just make plays at times," Von Vogt said. "Fortunately, we made just enough plays to get the win."

Heading to their first Tournament Championship since joining the GSAC, the Warriors will take on No. 1 The Master's University on Saturday at 6 pm in Warrior Arena.

"Ultimately, the guys are playing for Kevin," explained Von Vogt,  "and they are leaving everything on the floor every night."


   
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).