FULLERTON, Calif. – While the ending leaves those supporting the Warriors wondering what could have been, the ride to get to Saturday's GSAC Championship will forever be enshrined within Jessup Athletics. In a game that went to the final second, Jessup comes out on the wrong end of a 78-77 loss to the OUAZ Spirit.
OUAZ captures their first Golden State Athletic Conference title in men's basketball, taking away a chance at that same feat for this Jessup squad.
"We did everything we set out to do," said head coach
Lance Von Vogt after the contest. "The fact that we didn't cut down the nets had nothing to do with anything we did on the court. Our guys earned everything and competed. We played for each other and for an audience of one upstairs."
In the final conference game of the season, GSAC Player of the Year
Cashemin Williams shined once again as he scored a game-high 24 points to pair with 6 boards.
Tarren Storey-Way dropped 14 points in the final GSAC game of his career.
The Warriors controlled the early scoring in this one, as a 12-0 run at the midway point of the first half had the Warriors ahead 21-13. Jessup's first-half lead continued to grow as Storey-Way sank a triple inside of a minute to go in the half to put the Warriors ahead by nine.
Jessup was in the driver's seat at halftime, leading 44-35.
OUAZ came out swinging in the second half, as their performance was a stark difference from that of the first. While the Warriors continued to keep their lead around nine for the first ten minutes of the half, it was only a matter of time before the Spirit climbed back.
The climb reached its crescendo at the four-minute mark as a three-point play had this game all tied up at 71.
With 2:37 to play, OUAZ took their first lead since five minutes into regulation, as Keshawn Bruner buried a 3-pointer. Jessup quickly answered as
Charlie Garrison converted the second-chance opportunity to put the Warriors ahead by one.
Again, both sides traded baskets, setting up a final scenario with five seconds remaining and Jessup leading 77-76.
OUAZ made their march, pushing the ball up court for the game-winning opportunity. Jessup's stout defense forced OUAZ to unload the ball to Josaiah De'Lacerda. With a hand in his face, De'Lacerda fired up a three near the exact moment the buzzer sounded. The shot missed.
But then came the whistle.
In a pivotal moment, a foul was called, sending De'Lacerda to the line for three free throws. He made the first, missed the second, and then cliched a conference championship by sinking the third.
"Our guys did everything that we set out to do. And the call didn't go our way," said Von Vogt of the closing second. "They had an opportunity to win the game on free throws, and they took advantage of it."
The Warriors end their bid for a GSAC Championship with a record of 27-6 overall, a program record.
"Today just speaks volumes to how our team handles adversity. We are able to adapt to any situation and overcome," said Von Vogt about his team.
Jayden DeJoseph scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting as he too wraps up his GSAC career. Garrison and
Tim Strijaous scored 10 each.
While the ending leaves plenty for the imagination to ponder, what fans can set in stone is that the season is not over. Jessup will be back on the court on March 11 for the NAIA Opening Round.
"We need to heal up and reset," said Von Vogt. "March 11 is going to come on March 11. And we'll be ready by then."
Who the Warriors will play, and at what time, remains to be determined. The 2022 NAIA National Tournament bracket will be unveiled on March 3 during the NAIA Selection Show.
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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).
