ROCKLIN, Calif. - A strong start would reign supreme as the Warriors welcomed San Diego Christian to Warrior Arena for their first conference matchup on home court Thursday night. A second-half surge would be the icing on the cake as ten Warriors contributed in the victory over the Hawks, 73-51 to advance to 5-7 overall and 2-1 in GSAC play.

"I thought we were aggressive tonight," head coach Corey Laster commented on the team's performance, "which was our game plan. With our type of team, we have to be better defensively. We wanted to take away the interior as much as possible, and we did. I loved how we played with great energy, and we have to keep that rolling."

The Warriors would have a hot start as an 8-0 advantage would light up the board before the opposing Hawks would collect a basket. An impressive 50-percent from the field would lead the Warriors to the 21-14 lead after the first quarter of play.

Just two minutes into the second quarter, the Warriors earned the offensive board where Maila Lepolo was good for two in the paint to extend the lead to double-figures. But the Hawks would not back down as they answered back with a 6-0 run. 

JoeLyn Stirton would get the Warriors back in the game with a deep three from the top of the arc, followed by another from downtown by teammate Monica Valenzuela, to erase the 6-0 run by the Hawks. San Diego would add one more basket before the teams retired to the locker room, Warriors with a 37-28 edge at the break.

The Warriors would light a second-half spark as the pace of play increased, and another three from Stirton would hit the net to start the final half of play. Seven Warriors would collect points in the 19-point quarter, where the start of the last quarter would see the Warriors up 56-39.

"We always challenge them, even in the first half, to finish," Laster commented. "I thought we had great looks, did well driving the ball, and pushed it in transition. JoeLyn has been helping us in terms of scoring, but tonight to get multiple people contributing was important for us."

Early in the final quarter of play, the Warriors went on a 9-0 run to extend their lead over 20-points with an offensive fire sparked by Valenzuela, who scored 7 of the 9 points for Jessup. Cheyenne Jankulovski and Bobbie Purify would be a threat both offensively and defensively for the Warriors. 

The Warriors would defeat the Hawks 73-51 with four players in double figures; Valenzuela (16), Jankulovski (12), Natalie Moulos (11), and Purify (11). 

Another conference opponent is up next for the Warriors as they welcome the undefeated Hope International to Horton Court on Saturday for a noon tip.
   
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).