GLENDALE, Ariz. - Friday's contest between the Warriors and Firestorm saw two top-25 teams on eight and seven-game win-streaks, respectively, battle in the desert for GSAC supremacy. ACU (21-2 OVR, 7-0 GSAC) mounted a double-digit lead early that made this contest an uphill battle for Jessup (9-3 OVR, 6-1 GSAC), and the result was an 81-69 win for the home team.
 
Coach Lance Von Vogt commented on the outcome saying, "ACU is a good team, and we made a few too many mistakes, and they took advantage. If we take care of the ball better, we will give ourselves a better chance tomorrow."
 
Both teams came out strong defensively as the score was just 9-5 in favor of ACU with five minutes gone by. The offense began to pour in as time progressed, though, as Myles Corey threw an alley-oop from half court to Jayden DeJoseph at the 12:27 mark to cut the Firestorm lead to six, 13-7.
 
ACU gained their first double-digit lead by pulling ahead 23-13 with 9:25 to play in the opening half and increased that lead with a three on the following possession. The Warriors battled back as DeJoseph connected on a three of his own, followed by a Myles Corey layup to slim the gap to eight.
 
ACU led by as much as 16 points in the first half and went into the locker room ahead 44-30.
 
The Warriors began the final 20 minutes of play in need of a second-half comeback, which is a feat they've accomplished this season before. ACU started with a three, but Tim Strijaous countered with a layup. Jessup embarked on a 6-0 run a few minutes later as DeJoseph knocked down another triple, Matthew Schmidt scored on a layup, and Myles Corey put back a miss to cut the Firestorm lead to 10, 49-39.
 
From there, ACU would go on a 17-10 run and led 66-49 with 8:30 to play. The Warriors refused to fold, though as Myles Corey threw down a two-handed jam, and Tarren Storey-Way converted a layup to pull Jessup within single digits, 73-65 with 3:15 left.
 
Unfortunately, it was too little too late as ACU doubled-up Jessup in scoring in the final minutes to win 81-69.
 
Myles Correy led the Warriors with 15, Strijaous scored 14, Schmidt followed with 12, and DeJoseph added 10.
 
Despite Friday's loss, Von Vogt is optimistic for Saturday's rematch saying, "We will make the adjustments and turn our sights to tomorrow's rematch. I expect that we will play a little smarter and hopefully settle into the game a little quicker. I like the resolve and resiliency of this team, and I look for that to be on full display tomorrow."
 
The rematch is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. (PST) in Glendale, AZ.
   
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).