ROCKLIN, Calif. – Back home for the first time in a month, the Warriors were looking to get back on track after a pair of losses over Thanksgiving in Tennessee. Taking on Vanguard, Jessup got off to another slow start, but when they finally found their groove, Jessup could not be stopped.
"I feel like tonight was an opportunity for the guys to learn to win a different way," said head coach
Lance Von Vogt after the game. "We had to play different offensively and defensively for us to be successful tonight. The pace that we played at tonight was much more measured than what we normally do. So I thought that it really showed adaptability, that's gonna that's going to lead us well moving forward to know that we can win different ways."
The Warriors outscored Vanguard 42-27 in the second half. This came after Jessup closed out the first half on a 19-7 run, allowing them to claw back from a 17-5 run by Vanguard out of the gates. The final 25 minutes of basketball Thursday night saw Jessup outscore the Lions 59-32.
It was a needed display of dominance for Jessup, who came into Thursday losers of three in a row, pushing them out of the NAIA Top-25. Jessup now sits over .500 at 6-5 overall, 2-1 in the GSAC.
Jessup was paced by dominate performances in both halves:
Jahveon Medearis in the first, and
Charlie Garrison in the second.
Medearis shot lights out in the first half, dropping 12 points on 5-of-8 from the floor. Garrison scored 11 points in the final 20 minutes, adding six rebounds in the closing stretches of the game.
Garrison finished the night with a double-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds.
"We feel like we've got a pretty deep team," added Von Vogt. "And you know, right now we've been undermanned due to injuries and illness. Charlie just got back on the court a couple of weeks ago. He's still wrapping himself into shape. But he's the type of guy that as he gets into better shape, he's going to continue to be one of the key guys for us."
On Medearis' performance, Von Vogt stated, "Jahvy is a freshman and, you know, he's been up and down so far this year, but he's tremendously talented. And he has the ability to have nights like this. And what we're asking for him is become more consistent and that's the message is for him to follow up this game with another good game on Saturday."
Vanguard was led by Garrett White who led all players with 24 points. White added ten board to his stat line, giving him a double-double. Last season Von Vogt said White played like an All-American when Vanguard beat Jessup. He doubled down on those sentiments tonight.
"I think he's one of the best players in the GSAC," said Von Vogt on White. "And we've seen a lot of great players across the country already this year and Garrett White is right up there with all the guys that we've seen. He's as good as they come. I mean, the dude was everywhere on the floor. He's a tough matchup. He's an undersized four but he's skilled. He can shoot the three, he's great around the rim. He's just a terrific player. Tough, tough, hombre."
Jessup held Vanguard to a 33 percent showing from the floor. The Warriors put up identical stat lines in both halves, shooting 13-of-29 in each half.
The Warriors will look to keep the good vibes around when they take the court Saturday against Life Pacific. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.
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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).
