REDDING, Calif. – After a brief Christmas break, the Warriors returned to the hardwood for a matchup with their former Cal Pac rival, the Simpson Red Hawks. Jessup turned on the afterburners despite a slow first quarter and never looked back en-route to an 80-49 win.
 
After the game, Head Coach Hernando Planells stated, "We just had to keep our composure after that first quarter." After trailing 8-11 through one quarter, Planells said it was the defensive mindset that got his team on track. "Our defensive intensity really picked up in the second half, and that helped propel us."
 
Areas of Dominance
 
The Warriors were a force to be reckoned with on the block and in the paint. Overall on the glass, Jessup outrebounded the Red Hawks 45 to 24. The Warriors' strength was also seen by continually getting to the basket as they won the battle of points in the paint 30 to 10.
 
Jessup was able to take full advantage of their opportunities at the free-throw line as well. They shot 13-of-16, good enough for a season-high at 81.3-percent.
 
Ball movement was a key factor in the flow of the Warriors' offensive success as they had 31 made field goals to the tune of 20 assists. In total, eight players recorded an assist, with JoeLyn Stirton leading the team with 5.
 
Three Players In Double-Figures
 
Leading the way for the Warriors was senior Miranda Zaragoza as she tallied a double-double
with 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Freshman Paige Winter had a terrific night as well
as she posted 17 points and was perfect from the free-throw line going seven for seven.
 
Fellow freshman Maila Lepolo had an efficient night as she logged 14 points on six of seven
shooting and also had three rebounds.
 
What's Next
 
The Warriors are slated to tipoff GSAC play next week on the road with a matchup against
Arizona Christian, a team that just knocked off #4 The Master's University 79-66.
 
Coach Planells said he's got a team that never gives up, and they will be ready for the Firestorm.
He went on to say, "(ACU) is a tremendous team with lots of weapons. It'll be non-stop action
but we will play tough defense and be ready for the challenge."
 
There will be two games played in total, with the first on Friday the 15th at 2:30 PM then again
on Saturday the 16th at 11:00 AM.
   
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).