FULLERTON, Calif. – The quest for a conference championship officially began Thursday with the Warriors taking on sixth-seeded Menlo College. After getting behind early, Jessup gained their footing for the final 25 minutes, earning an 84-78 victory and a trip to the GSAC Semifinals.
For Jessup, the win marks just the second time in program history that the Warriors have reached the semifinal round of the GSAC Tournament. Jessup advanced as far as the GSAC Championship game in 2019.
The Warriors were paced by none other than the GSAC Player of the Year,
Cashemin Williams. Williams recorded a double-double of 20 points and 11 assists.
"Cash is the conference Player of the Year, so everybody's keying on him," said head coach
Lance Von Vogt. "He's making all of the right decisions, which is amazing to see him be under that much pressure and still have the poise and composure to make those decisions."
Tim Strijaous was right behind Williams, as he scored 19 points to go with 9 rebounds over 34 minutes of game time.
"Tim is a playmaker, and he's capable of playing really well," added Von Vogt on Strijaous. "We've redesigned the offense a little to feature Tim, and he's stepped up to the challenge. And he's executing exactly what we're asking him to do.
"I couldn't be happier for (Tim), and his toughness is what stood out to me today. He was just so mentally and physically tough today, and that was one of the reasons we were able to win even when we were struggling a little bit."
The Warriors did struggle early in this one, getting down 18-11 before a 9-2 run helped get Jessup within one basket. Jessup would take their first lead of the day as Williams sank a three with 10:33 to go in the opening half.
Menlo regained a first-half lead and pushed it up to five on two occasions, but the Warriors ended the half hot as
Jordan Adams connected on back-to-back baskets to give Jessup a 44-41 halftime lead.
Adams wrapped up the game scoring 13 points on 3-of-9 from long distance.
After the Oaks once again took the lead, pushing it to four this time, Jessup climbed back as Adams sank a three to put Jessup ahead yet again. The flip-flop of the lead began to settle down with just under four minutes to play as Jessup never ceased the advantage, putting the game away in the closing stretches with free throws from Williams and
Charlie Garrison.
"It's tough to beat a team three times in one season, and our guys knew that Menlo was gonna give a great effort tonight, and I thought they played fantastic," added Von Vogt on the win.
Four Warriors scored in double-figures Thursday afternoon.
Tarren Storey-Way was the fourth, scoring 11 points in the win. Von Vogt talked about how this new lineup is finally starting to find a rhythm at the right time.
"I think we're starting to find an identity right now with the lineup that we're running with. And that bodes well as we go through this tournament season. It's always survive and advance. We did that today. So we're looking forward to tomorrow."
Tomorrow's opponent in the GSAC Semifinal is yet to be determined as the Warriors will take on either Hope International or The Master's.
"We will scout the game tonight so we can see who our opponent is," added Von Vogt. "It's going to be two fantastic teams. Whoever comes out of that is going to be a challenge for us, and it's going to be a one-day prep. So we're looking forward to watching that game, and we're looking forward to doing the best we can to get another one tomorrow and get ourselves a championship."
Tomorrow's GSAC Semifinal is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. from Hope International University in Fullerton.
***
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).
