ROCKLIN, Calif. - Playing on their home court for the first time since Halloween 2020, Jessup pieced together a dominant performance against old rivals Simpson University. In a game where every Warrior scored, Jessup got back in the win column by the score of 78-43.
 
Once again, leading the Warriors down low Wednesday was senior Miranda Zaragoza. Continuing a great season, Zaragoza came within three points of her career-high, finishing with 24 to pair with eight rebounds.
 
After the game, Head Coach Hernando Planells was very complimentary of his senior's growth this season.
 
"(Zaragoza) is posting up stronger than ever," said Planells. "She is attacking left and right, and she is recognizing when teams double team her, which is going to happen the rest of the year. Her improvement has been amazing."
 
Jessup started red hot Wednesday afternoon, opening to a 7-0 lead that forced Simpson to use their first timeout. Simpson cut the lead to as little as three, but the Warriors showed little nerves, regaining a seven-point advantage through one.
 
That red hot play continued into the second and third quarter as the Warriors embarked on an amazing 31-5 scoring run. Jessup's defense was on full effect, surrendering double-digit points in just the third quarter.
 
One thing the Warriors did throughout the game to ensure they were at 100-percent was mass substituting, taking all five players off the court at the same time.
 
"We've been doing that a lot over our most recent games, really mass substituting to make sure that our legs are refreshed and to make sure that we are playing at the highest level of efficiency and with energy," Planells added on his player rotations.
 
By continuously rotating a new lineup, it allowed all Jessup players to get good looks at the basket, resulting in all 13 Warriors who saw playing time to find the bottom of the net.
 
"It's awesome to see because anytime you have every person on your team score, it means they're doing what they are supposed to do," added Planells. "With all the practice time, and with everything we've done, it's great to see them score, but it's also great to watch how their teammates react when everybody scores."
 
In 17 minutes off the bench, Paige Winter contributor 14 points. Briana Clark was the only player for Simpson to score in double-digits, finishing with 11.
 
There is a bit of a break in the action for Jessup now as their next scheduled contest won't come until Saturday, January 29, when Ottawa (AZ) comes to Rocklin. That contest, the first of a back-to-back against the Spirit, is scheduled to start at 1 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).