GLENDALE, Ariz. – One game into the Arizona Road trip, the Warriors visited Glendale on Saturday to take on the Firestorm of Arizona Christian University. On a day where a bad start hindered Jessup's chances of victory, the Warriors pieced together a great comeback but fell one possession shy in a 56-53 loss.
 
ACU jumped ahead early, leaving by nine at the end of the first period. The Warriors cannot climb within that nine-point hole in the first half as they trailed 34-25 at the half.
 
"We buried ourselves in the first half," said head coach Corey Laster. "They were changing their substitution pattern, which was throwing girls off. I thought we were putting up really good shots in the first half, but the turnovers really cost us."
 
The comeback bid started in the third, as the Warriors outscored the Firestorm 13-8. A 6-0 run by the Warriors within three, and then a pair of Maila Lepolo free throws cut the Warriors within one. But the lead would change hands in the third.
 
There would be three ties in Saturday's contest, but Jessup would never lead. While they were able to get within one point in the second half, that would be as close as they could get as Arizona Christian was able to narrowly hang on for the victory.
 
For the fourth game in a row, leading the Warriors in scoring was Andrea Jovicevic. She scored ten points in 27 minutes of action, adding five rebounds and two assists.
 
The leading rebounder for the Warriors was Kayla Vieira, as she led all players with 13 boards to pair with seven points.
 
On Vieira's performance, Laster added, "I thought Kayla got her hands on a lot of rebounds in the first half where she wasn't able to come down with the ball. She was going up with one hand, and you need to rebound with two hands. She focused on that in the second half and did a good job."
 
Saturday's loss drops the Warriors to 10-8 overall and 5-4 within the GSAC. Jessup leads ACU by one game for the final spot in the GSAC Tournament.
 
On making a late run to secure a postseason spot, Laster noted, "If you're going to play in the playoffs or have a shot to make it, it's going to take a gritty, tough team. So, I thought this game was that type of game. We'll learn from it and move forward for sure."
 
The Warriors return home next week to host Hope International and San Diego Christian.  
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).