FRESNO, Calif. - In the first of many games against teams at the NCAA Division I level, the Warriors entered one of the largest venues the program has ever played in, as the 2020-21 season began Wednesday afternoon inside Fresno's Save Mart Center.
 
Compared to college basketball games of previous years, what was missing from this game were the fans. Taking on the Fresno State Bulldogs in an empty arena, the hometown team sealed the victory as the Warriors fell in their season opener, 87-47.
 
"It felt great," said head coach Lance Von Vogt postgame on finally seeing his team back on the court.
 
"The guys needed to play against somebody else, and quite frankly somebody that's at a different level than us, for us to find out where we're at and see the corrections that we have to make in order for us to become an elite team at the NAIA level."
 
Like the two remaining matchups the Warriors have to play this weekend, the contest Wednesday was registered as an exhibition. Even with the loss, the Warriors' record on the season still sits at 0-0.
 
Fresno State got out to a quick advantage to start the game. After a Jayden DeJoseph 3-pointer to put the Warriors up 5-4, the Bulldogs embarked on a 16-0 run over the next 6:24 of game time. Fresno State would end the half on a 17-0 run, taking a 48-17 lead into the locker room.
 
The Warriors started the game having a tough time finding the basket, as they connected on just two of their first 12 shots. One bright spot came in the opening 20-minutes on a transition reverse layup by freshman Myles Corey, giving him back-to-back possessions with a made basket.
 
Corey would finish his first collegiate contest with 8 points, connecting on 4-of-11 from the field.
 
"Myles is dynamic," said Von Vogt of his freshman guard. "He's going to be a special player for us throughout his career. He is going to be an elite player for us both offensively and defensively. He'll only get better from what you saw today; that was just the tip of the iceberg."
 
Coming out of the gates quick to start the second half, it was DeJoseph who drained another three, capping an 8-2 Jessup run. From there on out, however, it was all Bulldogs.
 
Fresno quickly charged towards a 24-0 run in which Jessup converted just 1-of-17 attempts from the floor. All total, the Warriors converted on only 27-percent shooting, compared to an incredible 58.5-percent performance by the Bulldogs.
 
Von Vogt was very complimentary of his team postgame for not backing down during the contest.
 
"I think we have a very resilient team. They're strong; they're tough-minded and mentally tough. This is the type of team that can handle this type of beat down. They're the type of team who can handle it, learn from it, and come back better from it."
 
DeJoseph led the box score for the Warriors, as the junior scored a team-high 15 points. Tim Strijaous added 6 points and a team-high eight rebounds in his Jessup debut, while Tarren Storey-Way dished out a team-leading seven assists.
 
Fresno State had four players finish in double figures, with Isaiah Hill and Orlando Robinson leading with 16 points each.
 
The Warriors have a break in the action tomorrow as they will celebrate Thanksgiving together as a team. Action resumes this weekend as Jessup travels north for two games in Portland as part of the U.S. Bank Portland Invitational.
 
On the docket first for Jessup will be Seattle University, followed by a contest against the University of Portland on Saturday. Both games this weekend will be noon tipoffs.
   
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).