ROCKLIN, Calif. -- There is plenty to be thankful for if you're the Warriors, as they played on their home court Friday for the first time in 21 days. Opening up the second annual Thanksgiving Classic against Simpson, Jessup needed a late rally and a defensive stand, but in the end, they walk away victorious.
 
Friday's victory moves Jessup to 4-5 overall on the season. It also pushes Jessup's win streak to eight against the Red Hawks.
 
Leading the Warriors in the scoring column was again Makaila Napoleon, dropping 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Napoleon added a dozen boards, securing her second double-double of the season.
 
Friday's game was dominated by turnovers, as the Warriors turned the ball over 25 times. The Red Hawks cashed in to Jessup's mishaps to the tune of 18 points off turnovers. Jessup only scored 12 off of 15 turnovers from Simpson.
 
Jessup led early, taking a 16-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. But back came the Red Hawks, drawing within one at halftime before taking a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Simpson's largest lead of the night came with 2:16 to play in the third, as they led by seven on a pair of free throws from Livi Lindsey. The lead would not grow as Jessup scored the next five, drawing within on possession in the final seconds of the period.
 
The winning bucket came in clutch fashion, as Napoleon drained a three with 59 seconds on the clock, giving her side a 60-57 lead. Simpson would get one chance to tie or take the lead, setting up an out of bounds play in the final seconds, but the buzzer beating attempt missed as the Warriors escape with a 61-59 victory.
 
An area the Warriors will hope to sure up if their free throw shooting. Jessup went just 12-of-21 at the line Friday night. The Warriors will also look to avoid free trips to the line for their opponents, as Simpson attempted 27 free throws.
 
Jessup will be back to work tomorrow as they wrap up the weekend with a 2 p.m. game against Oregon Tech. The Warriors will then re-shift their focus to the GSAC, as they host their first two conference home games next weekend.
 
Tickets for all remaining home games can be purchased online HERE.  
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).