ROCKLIN, Calif. – Postseason basketball brings out the best of everyone, and the display on Horton Court Friday night showed the magnitude of the contest. In a win-or-go-home situation, the Warriors prevailed over the Royals of Warner University (Fla.), extending their season for at least one more day.
 
The win, a milestone in its own right, marks just the second time in program history that the Warriors have captured a victory in the NAIA National Tournament (prev. 2016 vs. Pikeville).
 
Four players led Jessup in double figures, the leader being GSAC Player of the Year Cashemin Williams. Williams scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-15 from the floor. He added 7 assists and a steal to his credit.
 
The Warriors jumped ahead early, scoring eight of the game's first ten points. The advantage touched nine midway through the first half when Myles Corey sank one of his three triples.
 
Corey was a welcome sight to Jessup fans, as the All-GSAC guard was appearing in his first game since February 5 against Menlo College. He finished the night with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
 
"After being out a month and a half, we knew there was going to be a little bit of rust," said head coach Lance Von Vogt on Corey's return to action. "But as the game progressed, he got more and more comfortable and started trusting himself, and he was fantastic."
 
Jessup's lead reached as high as 13 in the opening half, hitting that mark on a three from Tarren Storey-Way. At the halftime break, Jessup led 40-32.
 
Warner responded fast out of the break, cutting the Warriors' lead to five with 15:54 to play. The Royals kept chipping away, eventually taking their first lead of the night on a Logan West layup with 7:30 remaining.
 
The Warriors responded fast as a three-point play by Williams had Jessup in the lead. Three straight baskets by Tim Strijaous then gave the Warriors some comfort and an 83-76 lead.
 
Warner would only score two more points on the night as the Warriors won to extend their season, 90-78.
 
Others in double-figures Friday night were Storey-Way (18) and Strijaous (16). The duo also finished with double-doubles, as Strijaous pulled down 12 rebounds while Storey-Way finished with 11.
 
Von Vogt credited the night as a team win, adding, "We had to go out and execute and play against a really good Warner squad. They traveled from Florida all the way out here to California. They tested us, and we responded, and the guys played really hard. They played together. They had fun, and, you know, ultimately, we end up getting the win."
 
Who the Warriors play next remains unknown. Jessup will take on the winner of Hope International vs. Oregon Tech, which took the court in Rocklin at 7:30 p.m. Either way, there is familiarity for the Warriors to draw on as they are a combined 5-0 against those two schools.
 
"We're gonna scout the game, and we're gonna come up with a game plan based off of what we see," added Von Vogt. "But it's not going to change too much to what we've done in the past."
 
Jessup will take the court Saturday at 5 p.m., where once again it is a win or go home situation. The winner will advance to the final site of the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, MO.
   
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).