PORTLAND, Ore. - Playing their third NCAA Division I opponent in four days, Jessup put forth their best effort of the season Saturday in an 83-73 loss to the University of Portland Pilots.
 
The Warriors battled a full 40-minutes, keeping Saturday's game both close and exciting for the length of regulation. Using a full-court press and regular substitutions, Jessup was able to limit the large runs that had hindered them so much in their previous two contests.
 
"These guys are built for this. I wouldn't have scheduled this with some other teams that I've had in the past," said head coach Lance Von Vogt on playing three challenging games in four days.
 
"This is something that is going to make them stronger and believe in themselves even more."
 
In Jessup's previous two contests, it was a large run by their opponent that pushed the Warriors out of contention. On Saturday, it was the opposite, as an early 9-0 Jessup run had the game tied at 16-16. Jessup played stingy defense throughout the whole game, but five first-half steals helped set up transition baskets on the opposite end to keep the game close.
 
The first crucial run against the Warriors came late in the first half when the Pilots held Jessup scoreless the final 2:18 of play. An 8-2 Portland run sent the game into the break with the Pilots ahead 42-33.
 
Entering the second half, Jessup implored a full-court press, which seemed to stimy the Portland offense. The Warriors cut the deficit to as little as three, thanks to back-to-back baskets by Tim Strijaous, but a quick 11-3 counter run by Portland started to put the game out of reach.
 
Portland found themselves in the bonus for the majority of the final five-minutes Saturday, as they attempted 25 free throws in route to winning the game. The Pilots' 80-percent showing from the line, paired with a 52-percent attack from the field, was too much to combat.
 
Even with their opponent's stellar shooting performance, the Warriors too had a great offensive attack with a 51.7-percent field goal percentage of their own. Jessup outrebounded the Pilots 28-26, but the Warriors were unable to get to the line, shooting just three free throws all game.
 
"They're called free throws for a reason," said Von Vogt, placing extra emphasis on the word free.
 
"When you're on the road, and you're playing in someone else's arena, you do know that traditionally the calls are a little tougher to get. That was definitely the case today. But that was not the reason we lost."
 
Strijaous led the Warriors in two categories Saturday, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds. Freshman Myles Corey again flashed in the box score, scoring 14 points while dishing out a team-high five assists. Tarren Storey-Way added 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
 
"(Strijaous) has the ability to be an All-GSAC level player because he's so versatile," added Von Vogt on his 6-5 forward. "I think what we are seeing now is Tim starting to feel comfortable and learn what we're asking him to do. He's only going to get better."
 
Leading the Pilots was Ahmed Ali, who had a game-high 22 points. Two other Pilots, Latrell Jones, and Eddie Davis, added 11 points each.
 
After such a busy start to the season this Thanksgiving weekend, the Warriors get a few days off before returning to action against yet another NCAA foe. This Friday, December 4, Jessup will be in Davis for a 4 p.m. tip against the UC Davis Aggies.
   
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).