ROCKLIN, Calif. – A lack of drama was not to be found on Thursday as two rivals squared off on Horton Court. In a scrappy battle, Jessup was able to get back into the win column as they climbed back from and early hole to take down Hope International in overtime.
 
The Warriors and Royals have put on classic after classic in their storied rivalry. Last season, Jessup knocked off HIU three times, including a GSAC Semifinal matchup. A buzzer-beater by Oregon Tech negated a fourth meeting in the NAIA Opening Round. HIU won the first matchup this season back in Fullerton.
 
Mixed in with the emotion on the court was a milestone moment from Myles Corey. A free throw in overtime put Corey at 1,000 career points, making him the fourth player in program history to do so.
 
Head coach Lance Von Vogt said of Corey, "I', really proud of Myles, and as good of a basketball player he is, he's a better person. And I think that that just speaks volumes because he's a pretty darn good basketball player."
 
The Warriors trailed by six at halftime, surrendering 47 points to the Royals. HIU added nine more points in the first three minutes of the second half, but that's when the Warriors increased their defensive intensity.
 
Jessup held Hope International to 32 points over the next 22 minutes of basketball.
 
"We put together 22 minutes of fantastic basketball," added Von Vogt. "We're going to build off of that."
 
Having another incredible night Thursday was Cashemin Williams. Williams scored 39 points, one shy of the Jessup single-game record he tied earlier this season at Simpson. Williams had a chance to break the record in the final seconds but chose restraint and let the clock run out on a 94-88 win.
 
"Cash was special tonight," added Von Vogt. The head coach then jokingly added, "I appreciated his restraint on not shooting that last shot. And you know, when the clock was going down, and you've scored 39 and have the chance to get the school record for points since we turned to the NAIA. So I appreciate his difference on that."
 
Xavier Lovelace also came up big in this one as the first-year Warrior dropped a season-high 13 points to pair with a season-high 16 boards. He was four rebounds shy of the Jessup record.
 
Von Vogt said of Lovelace, "Obviously, Xavier's an elite rebounder, and he's been getting his legs under himself, you know, having sat out the first, you know, 14 games of the season. He's just now starting to catch a little bit of a rhythm. So it's not surprising for me to see him do that on the boards. We believe he's special in that area. And he's a big reason we were able to win."
 
With the win, the Warriors improve to 5-5 within the GSAC.
 
Jessup will look to get above .500 on Saturday when they host San Diego Christian at 2 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).