ROCKLIN, Calif. - Following a hiatus of nearly a month, the Warriors will finally hit the hardwood once again this weekend. Having not played since a December 7 exhibition at the University of Nevada, Jessup will begin the first of three games in Idaho on Friday afternoon.
 
Not only will this weekend end a 25 day stretch of no basketball, but it will also be the first official game on the Warriors' schedule. Competing against their first NAIA opponents, Jessup will take on the College of Idaho on back-to-back dates before facing Lewis-Clark State.
 
The 2020-21 season has been different than any other. With difficulty scheduling games, Jessup has competed in just five exhibitions against NCAA Division I schools. Due to this, the Warriors enter Friday with a null record of 0-0 and no official stats to report.
 
Before the temporary stoppage of Jessup's season, the Warriors prepared to host the College of Idaho at home in Rocklin. The Yotes have been battling through a tough 20-21 season in their own right, entering what is their home opener Friday with a record of 1-5.
 
The Warriors and Yotes share two common opponents on the schedule thus far, with both teams taking on the University of Portland and Seattle University. Jessup's two matchups were exhibitions; COI dropped those two games by the score of 88-74 and 78-54, respectively.
 
Entering Friday, the first of back-to-back games between these two teams, the Yotes rank No. 15 in the NAIA Coaches Poll.
 
Leading offensively for the College of Idaho are Ricardo Time (14.5 PPG) and Jalen Galloway (11.5 PPG). Both Time and Galloway have started all six games for the Yotes. As a team, the Yotes average 82 PPG.
 
After back-to-back games over the New Year's weekend, Jessup will take Sunday off before taking on Lewis-Clark State on Monday. That game will take place at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID.
 
Lewis-Clark State, also known as the Warriors, enter as the No. 7 ranked team in the current NAIA polls, making for a challenging week of basketball for Jessup. Lewis-Clark is undefeated on the year with a record of 4-0.
 
Before the matchup Monday, Lewis-Clark will play two games against Dickinson State on Thursday and Friday.
 
A trio of players currently averages double-figures for Lewis-Clark entering New Year's Eve. Trystan Bradley (14.3 PPG), Damek Mitchell (14.3 PPG), and Travis Yenor (13.0 PPG) currently pace a team that averages 82.75 PPG.
 
The trio of games up in Idaho will be Jessup's final tune-up before the conference season begins on January 9. After months of anticipation, the Warriors will finally get to play in their own gym when they open GSAC play vs. San Diego Christian next weekend.
 
Both games against the College of Idaho are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. (PST), while Monday's matchup against Lewis-Clark will start at 11 a.m. (PST). Live streaming of the contests can be viewed by clicking HERE.
   
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).