ROCKLIN, Calif - After extending their win streak to a season-high four games on Thursday, the Jessup women's basketball team put together another victory as they downed Hope International 77-60 Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors (15-7, 8-3) took control late in the first quarter and never looked back as they led the rest of the contest on their way to what Coach Kurt Westendorp called a true team effort. "Today was really a complete team win. We were incredibly balanced on offense and everyone did their part on the defensive end of the court."
After Hope took an early 8-5 lead three minutes into the game, Jessup responded nicely tying the game at 13 just four minutes later on a Creonah Bryant lay-in. The Warriors then closed the first quarter strong as they went on a 7-0 run capped off by a lay-up from Leah Richardson giving Jessup a 22-15 advantage.
Richardson had her best game in a Warrior uniform as she scored eight points in the first quarter on 4-for-4 shooting.
The second quarter belonged to the home team as they allowed just seven points outscoring Hope 18-to-7. The offense was led by Liz Gehweiler and Aycee Willis who each scored five points in the second.
The Warriors took their first double-digit lead of the day to start the second quarter on a Willis three and ultimately took an 18 point lead into halftime after two free-throws from Gehweiler made the score 40-22.
The third quarter got going as the Warriors extended their lead to 25 after a 6-0 run put Jessup in front 53-28 with 5:47 left in the frame. From there both teams traded baskets most of the way until Hope went on a 7-0 run that cut the Jessup lead to 60-40.
The third quarter proved to be the most competitive frame of the contest as HIU amped up its pressure defense but the Warriors were able to outscore them 20-18.
In the final 10 minutes, a three from Hope cut Jessup's lead down to 69-53, but the Warriors had an answer each time Hope tried to grab the momentum as they eventually cruised to a 17-point win.
The Jessup attack was led by Gehweiler who scored 18 points while grabbing 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the year. Four other Warriors also scored in double-figures as Willis added 15, Zaragoza contributed 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Bryant added 11 points. Richardson rounded out the Jessup double-figure scorers with a career-high 11 points and three blocks on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting.
Westendorp said he was pleased with how his team's defense executed their game plan. "Hope is one of the hottest teams in the league right now and we knew we would need to be focused on defense. Our effort and execution on that end of the floor really gave them trouble getting a rhythm."
The home floor has been a welcomed sight for the Warriors as they've gone 4-0 over the last two weeks of GSAC play. Westendorp also added "This has been a nice run for us defending our home court. Now we have to shift our focus to being road warriors with five of our last seven away from home."
Jessup will return to the court Thursday on the road to take on No. 4 Westmont, tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
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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).
