REDDING, Calif. - In a late addition to the schedule, Jessup made the trip up to Redding Tuesday night to take on an old foe in the Simpson Red Hawks. The Warriors opened both halves on fire, but after turnovers and struggles on defense, Jessup needed every second to seal an 89-87 win.
 
Jessup started the game red hot, opening to a 70-percent showing in the opening minutes that forced Simpson to call a timeout. A 7-0 run just about five minutes into the action had the Warriors on top 17-10.
 
It was a good timeout by the Red Hawks, as they bounced back with a run of their own, as a 16-2 Simpson run immediately followed that had the Warriors on their heels. Battling back from large runs has been a recurring trend for this Jessup team, and they did not waiver as they regained composure to retake the lead just a few minutes later.
 
One of the components in Jessup's first-half scoring was senior Erik Kinnebrew. Kinnebrew drained his first three attempts from distance, entering the half with nine points and a team-high five boards.
 
The Warriors took a 45-41 advantage into the locker room, aided by four late first-half points from junior Matt Garrison.
 
"I think Matt Garrison has a bright future," said Head Coach Lance Von Vogt. "He stays within what he does. He knows what he does, and he does it well. He sticks with success, and I think he's going to be a big part of what we do this year."
 
Out of the break, Jessup looked red hot again, as it was an attack from 3-point range that had the Warriors push their lead up to ten in the opening five minutes. Kinnebrew, along with brothers Myles and Malik Corey, all connected from deep on the Warriors' opening possessions.
 
But in a similar style of the first half, Jessup's early offensive charge was to be countered by a run by the Red Hawks. A 6-0 Simpson run cut the deficit to four.
 
Simpson managed to keep the score well within reach entering the closing minutes. A minor factor in that was Jessup's shooting from the free-throw line. After opening the game 8-of-9, the Warriors connected on just their next 2-of-6.
 
"You want to make your free throws, but free-throw shooting was not a reason that this game ended up coming down to the stretch," added Von Vogt.
 
That reason was due to turnovers and overall defensive play by the Warriors. Jessup closed out Tuesday with 23 turnovers, compared to just 14 by the Red Hawks.
 
"We've been a very good defensive team so far this year, but tonight we were not that," Von Vogt added on his team's struggles on defense. "We didn't show the toughness or the communication that we've shown throughout the year, and we're going to have to get it fixed before Friday."
 
Simpson took full advantage of every Jessup mistake, cutting the Warriors' lead to just two with 30 seconds to play. Jessup's final error came in the closing seconds. Needing to inbound the ball cleanly, the Warriors forced a pass that was turned over, giving Simpson a chance to win the game on a 3-pointer that ultimately missed at the horn.
 
The Warriors noticeably dominated Tuesday night in the battle down low, as Jessup won the rebounding game 47-31. Kinnebrew (8) and Garrison (6) led in the rebounding category for the Warriors.
 
Five players finished Tuesday's game in double-figures for Jessup. Myles Corey and Kinnebrew each led with 18 points. Tim Strijaous (16), Tarren Storey-Way (11), and Garrison (10) rounded out the Jessup attack.
 
Dylan Banks led all players in scoring with 25 points. Brycen Wight (17), Adam Gotelli (16), and JT Branch (12) also finished in double-figures for Simpson.
 
Next up on the schedule for Jessup is a trip to Arizona as the Warriors will once again look to open conference play as they take on No. 6 Arizona Christian. The Warriors and Firestorm will battle on back-to-back games, with Friday's tip being scheduled for 5 p.m.
   
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).