FULLERTON, Calif. - The Jessup men's basketball team closed out their first conference business trip at Hope International in Fullerton, where they were looking for back-to-back comebacks in the final half of the contest, but the Royals would prevail with the 83-73 victory. 

The Warriors are .500 in GSAC play after the weekend heading back into non-conference play for the holiday season (1-1, 5-3).

"We've got to do a better job being ready to compete from the jump," head coach Lance Von Vogt commented on the slow start to the game. "We haven't been ready to go, and our opponents are seizing that opportunity each game. If you keep digging yourself a hole to climb out of, there will be times you aren't able to find your way out. That's what happened to us today."

The Royals would take an early lead through the opening 20-minutes of play with as much as an 11-point lead. However, down the stretch, the Warriors would cut that lead to single digits with a trio of threes to close out the half down 38-30, headed into the locker room for the break.

Holding 11 of those 30 points was Cashemin Williams in the first half, as he was a threat for the Royals throughout the contest ending with a team-high 24 points, five assists and one steal. Also recording double figures in the matchup was Jayden DeJoseph with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists and Jordan Adams with 11 points of his own, seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.

The second half started well for the Warriors as Adams would hit a three from the corner to open, followed by Williams' triple to get within 4. DeJoseph would give the Warriors their first lead since the opening minutes with a statement slam to the basket, 43-42 with 14 minutes to play.

The home team would take another surge, but the Warriors weren't backing down as Ty Artis took it to the paint for two, 50-49, with just over 10 minutes remaining. Momentum would continue to swing both ways, but that would be the closest they got as the Royals continued to respond to the Warriors' attack to close out the 83-73 loss.

Returning to non-conference matchups, the Warriors will take a flight to Tennessee later next week for a pair of contests against the University of Saint Francis on Saturday and (5) the University of Jamestown Sunday morning game before heading back home.  

"We've got two big non-conference games next week in Tennessee at the Show. We will need to make significant strides between now and then to be successful," Von Vogt concluded.
   
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).