RIVERSIDE, Calif. – With fresh legs under them after a week off, the Warriors returned to action Friday to begin the final road trip of 2021. Visiting Riverside and La Sierra University, baskets were hard to find on both ends, as the host Golden Eagles narrowly edged out a 40-39 victory.
 
After the game, head coach Corey Laster noted that the Warriors needed to make more shots, but defensively he was happy with the performance.
 
"Defensively, we guarded fine," said Laster. "Obviously, that wasn't a factor, we held them to 40, and then I thought, you know, they got away a little bit towards the end. But we have to make shots offensively and give a lot of different looks."
 
Scoring woes started early for Jessup, as La Sierra jumped in front 10-2 thanks to a 1-for-14 start from the field by the Warriors. A layup from Cheyenne Jankulovski finally sparked some life for Jessup, as the Warriors ended the opening period on a 6-2 run to trim the Golden Eagles' lead to 12-8.
 
Jessup jumped back into the game to start the third, evening the contest at 15 off a Makaila Glynn layup. On the ensuing La Sierra possession, JoeLyn Stirton swiped away the ball in the backcourt, setting up an easy fast-break basket to give the Warriors their first lead of the day.
 
The Warriors took the lead an additional two times in the second quarter, but a split at the line in the half's final seconds gave La Sierra a 25-24 lead entering the break.
 
Jessup saw their best shooting quarter come in the second with a 53.8-percent showing from the floor. What followed in the third was not what the Warriors needed as they connected on just 1-of-9, allowing La Sierra to take a 36-29 lead into the final quarter.
 
Needing a comeback, Jessup looked to Monica Valenzuela, as the guard scored five-consecutive points to get Jessup within one. But five wasn't good enough for her, as Valenzuela scored again, giving the Warriors the lead for the first time since the second period.
 
La Sierra took a one-point lead with 1:17 to go, and they had a chance to increase their advantage in the final minute, but tight defense forced a shot clock violation, giving Jessup one chance at the win with 11 seconds left.
 
After a timeout, Jessup set up a play for Kayla Vieira in the corner, but her 3-pointer would not connect.
 
Valenzuela's seven points in the fourth pushed her to double-figures for the day, as she closed with 11 points and nine rebounds. Maila Lepolo added seven points in eight minutes off the bench.
 
Friday was a tough shooting performance all around, as Jessup shot 22.7-percent from the field and 16.7-percent from deep. La Sierra connected on 32.6- from the floor.
 
With Friday now behind them, Laster spoke about how the team is ready to move forward. "The girls talked about moving on and getting to the next game. So, I mean, I think I wouldn't change a whole lot of what we tried to do offensively, you know, hopefully, tomorrow we make shots. And that will hopefully get us going."
 
The road trip makes one more stop this weekend as Jessup takes on the University of Antelope Valley tomorrow afternoon 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).