ASHLAND, Ore. – Thursday was a rare matchup for the Warriors, as their 2022-23 schedule set up back-to-back meetings with the Southern Oregon Raiders. After an overtime thriller on Horton Court last weekend, the Warriors boarded the bus and headed north, opening SOU's Flagship Inn Classic against the tournament hosts.
 
On a high-scoring night in Oregon, the home team again came out on top in this matchup, as the Raiders settled the score with a 94-88 win.
 
After the game, head coach Lance Von Vogt stated, "I just thought in the first half we let them get too comfortable. We got a lead, and we didn't have the killer instinct to really sit down in a stance and defend, be gritty, and dig out possessions. We let them get comfortable in their gym, and they shot extremely well."
 
The Warriors made a change to their starting five Thursday night. Getting his first start was 7-2 center Aashay Verma. Verma made his coach's decision look good as he scored a season-high 20 points, pairing it with five boards and two blocks.
 
On Verma's night, Von Vogt added, "I think (Verma) is going to be a really good player for us. Tonight he played his best collegiate game ever, and he's going to get better and better."
 
Jessup started hot in this one, a first for the Warriors this season, as they jumped to a 7-2 run out the gate. The Raiders eventually settled in as they prepared for their own 7-2 run, coming late in the half to give them a five-point lead.
 
The basket was easy to find in Thursday's opening half. SOU scored 50 points, the final three coming on a buzzer-beater from Mason Whittaker to give his side a seven-point lead.
 
Needing a spark, Jessup responded right out of the break on one of four second-half triples from Jayden DeJoseph. DeJoseph finished 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, scoring a season-high 15 points in his 29 minutes of action.
 
"(DeJoseph) is a five-year guy. He's playing in his final season, and he's a guy that has really worked on the defensive side of the ball," added Von Vogt, crediting DeJoseph's all-around skill set. "To see him bring his offense along with that, he's going to be an excellent player for us throughout the season."
 
Jessup tied the game at 52 on a three from Myles Corey, but they couldn't take the lead as SOU regrouped to retake the lead for the next six minutes. DeJoseph sank a fastbreak three with 11:28 to go, settling the score at 70. Two minutes later, DeJoseph struck again, this time giving his side a 75-74 lead.
 
That one-point lead would be Jessup's last as the Raiders again regrouped to take the lead for the final seven minutes.
 
Cashemin Williams led Jessup with 26 points on 10-of-17 from the field. He paired his scoring with 11 assists, giving Williams his first double-double of the season. Williams also pulled down five rebounds.
 
Atmar Mundu of SOU led all players with 32 points.
 
Von Vogt spoke highly of Mundu's showing, noting, "He played one of the best games at the guard position that's been played against us that I can remember in recent memory. So give credit to him."
 
Jessup will look to regroup immediately as they continue the Flagship Inn Classic tomorrow night against Huntington at 7 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).