ROCKLIN, Calif. - Following their five-point victory on Friday night, the Warriors were back in action for a rematch against the Spirit Saturday afternoon. After leading for most of the first half, Jessup allowed a large run early in the final half of play as the Spirit pulled ahead and wouldn't look back, securing a 73-70 victory. This was the Warriors' first home loss of the season and their third loss in conference play.
 
Coach Lance Von Vogt commented on what led to the loss, saying, "We were disjointed, didn't do a good enough job on our coverages, and allowed them to get to their spots. They out-toughed us in the second half, which is something that doesn't happen very often to us."
 
The Saturday afternoon rematch opened with the Warriors' lone active senior on the roster, Tarren Storey-Way, breaking his defender's ankles and knocking down a three. Malik Corey dropped in his first bucket on a long two-point jumper to beat the shot clock, then his brother Myles drilled a corner three to put the Warriors up 12-8 at the 12:25 mark in the first half.
 
Tim Strijaous began to heat up as he connected on a three assisted by Myles, followed that with a give-and-go layup, and the Warriors led by two with 7:55 left before halftime.
 
From there, both teams traded leads five times before the first-half buzzer sounded, but when it did, the Warriors were ahead 32-31.
 
After losing the lead to begin the second half, Jessup regained it as Jayden DeJoseph spun into a fadeaway short jumper on the fast break. A few possessions later, the Warriors pulled ahead 42-39 as Myles converted on a floater in the lane.
 
Then, the Spirit embarked on the biggest run of the game as they scored 13 unanswered points to take a 52-42 advantage with 12:49 remaining.
 
The Warriors would rally with a 12-3 run, and consecutive layups from the Corey brothers cut the Spirit's lead to just one, 55-54 with 7:41 to play.
 
Unfortunately for Jessup, this is the closest they'd pull within as the Spirit connected on timely field goals and free throws down the stretch to come away with the three-point win.
 
Myles Corey led all scorers with 21, Strijaous followed with 15, and Storey-Way added nine.
 
Despite the loss to end the regular season, Coach Von Vogt is optimistic about his team's chances to make the national tournament saying, "I believe our resume speaks for itself, and we should get a bid. Outside of the Ottawa (AZ) loss, the only other losses we have on our record are against top-15 teams in the country, and we've beaten three of the top-15 teams all on the road. This team has earned the right to go to nationals, and I hope the NAIA does the right thing and puts us in."
 
The Warriors await what lies ahead when the bids for nationals are announced on Thursday at 5 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).