SURPRISE, Ariz. – It's been tough sailing for the Warriors (10-8, 4-4 GSAC) as of late, losing two in a row after a season-long five-game win streak. Hoping to flip the script and get back in the win column, Jessup visited OUAZ (13-4, 5-3 GSAC) in Surprise for a rematch of the GSAC Championship game from a season ago.
 
In what's become a trend over the last three games, the Warriors were forced to play catch-up for most of the night as they lost to the Spirit, 92-84.
 
Head coach Lance Von Vogt stated after the game, "We're just making too many mistakes both offensively and defensively in key moments, and the other teams are taking advantage of it. Give Ottawa credit, they're a terrific team. They played fast and made the plays when they needed to make the plays. At the end of the day, they earned the victory."
 
Providing a highlight reel of plays throughout the evening was Jessup's Myles Corey. Corey, who came into Thursday needing 45 more points to reach 1,000 for his career, dropped 23 to pair with a trio of rebounds, two assists, and a pair of blocks.
 
The top highlight of the night came midway through the second half on a fast break alley-oop from Jayden DeJoseph to Corey.
 
Cashemin Williams had another strong night, scoring 21 points to pair with seven boards and five assists. Williams battled foul trouble for the final six minutes but managed to stay in the game as he closed only four.
 
OUAZ led by as many as 12 Thursday, coming with 14 minutes remaining and regulation. A layup from Corey with 3:34 remaining got the Warriors within five, but back-to-back baskets by the spirit eliminated what could've been a comeback opportunity.
 
On the comeback bid that fell short, Von Vogt added, "We had opportunities where we had the ball down five, and we had good shots that we weren't able to complete. Ultimately, in the big moments, Ottawa hit the big shots, and that's how you earn a win."
 
Jessup trailed for almost 77% of regulation.
 
The Warriors knocked down 32-of-66 (48.5%) of their attempts from the floor. One area Jessup could've used more trips to was the free throw line, but in an oddity, the Warriors did not attempt a single free throw until 14:21 remaining in the game.
 
Next on the schedule is another postseason rematch, as Jessup takes on Arizona Christian on Saturday. The Firestorm has been a thorn in the side of the Warriors in recent years, winning 11 in a row, including last season in the NAIA Quarterfinal.
 
"We have a great opponent ahead of us, a top-five team in ACU, and we're looking forward to playing them," said Von Vogt on Saturday's matchup. "We haven't seen them since last year at the quarterfinals of the National Championship."
 
Tip-off against the No. 5 ranked Firestorm is slated for 1 p.m.
   
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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).