ROCKLIN, Calif. - Just a day removed from jumping to No. 24 in the NAIA Coaches Poll, the Warriors got back on the court to host San Diego Christian. Riding a six-game win streak, it took all 40-minutes to push the streak to seven as the Warriors walked out with a 68-62 win.
 
"I give credit to San Diego Christian," said Head Coach Lance Von Vogt after the game. "They came out, they played physical, they played tough, they played 94-feet. They sped us up, and we struggled for most of the game to handle their intensity and physicality."
 
A spark of momentum out the gates for Jessup came via junior Tim Strijaous. Playing a role in each of Jessup's first four baskets, be it scoring or assisting, Strijaous pushed the Warriors to a 9-2 lead and a Hawks timeout. 
 
The spark faded quickly, as SDCC promptly took control and did not relent the entirety of the half. A 14-3 run had the Hawks up 16-14, and they would end up taking a 32-22 lead into the break due in large part to the Warriors failing to score a field goal in the final 8:03 of the half.
 
Needing halftime adjustments, the Warriors began to show up early in the second half, thanks due in large part to a pair of 3-pointers from junior Jayden DeJoseph. With 10:45 to play, the Warriors entered the double-bonus, and a pair of free throws from Myles Corey evened the game at 43-43.
 
"(DeJoseph) came out in the second half and gave us a lift," Von Vogt added.
 
Jessup would take their first lead since 22-20 when Myles' brother, Malik Corey, scored a transition layup to put WJU on top 48-46. It turned into a 31-15 scoring run for the Warriors that ultimately pushed them ahead by ten.
 
The Hawks had one last run in them, a 9-0 charge in the closing minutes to trim Jessup's lead to one. Thanks to crucial turnovers by SDCC and several trips to the free-throw line, the Warriors put the game away.
 
Strijaous finished the game as Jessup's leading scorer with 16 points. He added eight rebounds to his total. Myles Corey and DeJoseph each contributed 12 points. 
 
As a team, the Warriors shot 51-percent from the field. San Diego Christian shot 46.3-percent.
 
Greg Chew of the Hawks led the game with 18 points while Teyden Gause added 16.
 
With the win, Jessup pushes their overall record to 8-2 on the season. The Warriors sit a perfect 5-0 in conference play.
 
"I think sometimes guys can look at the record of a team and not understand the ability that they have," added Von Vogt on SDCC, who fall to 1-10 with the loss. "San Diego played like a team with a purpose."
 
The two teams will hit the court once again on Saturday for part two of this two-game series. Taking place down in San Diego, game time is scheduled for 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 and Instagram).