ROCKLIN, Calif. – For the first time with the Warriors, head coach
Mark Darnall was celebrating a birthday, and on game day nonetheless, as Jessup welcomed Simpson to town. In what has become the norm in Jessup wins this season, the game went down to the wire as Jessup squeaked out an 80-76 decision over the Red Hawks.
The victory improves the Warriors to 4-2 this season as they get ready for an out-of-state trip this weekend. Tuesday also extend's Jessup win streak against the Red Hawks to eight, while Jessup's streak of wins against Cal Pac schools moves to 15.
It was all Warriors early on as Jessup held a commanding 28-9 lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. But then mistakes started to cost the Warriors, as ten first-half turnovers set up a 19-4 run by the Red Hawks, cutting them within four points.
The Warriors would enter the locker room leading 38-34.
Simpson kept up the pressure in the second half, so much so that a jumper from Garrett Streufet evened things up at 53. An 8-0 run for the Warriors would follow, but back came the Red Hawks as Parker Martens would convert a layup with five minutes to go to give Simpson their first lead of the night.
Jessup needed some big plays to take back the momentum, and
Emmett Holt answered as his tip-in was followed by a jumper on the next possession to put Jessup back on top.
Ja'Maris Blackmon would also come up clutch late in the game as his pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go sealed the win.
Blackmon led the way on the offensive end, scoring 21 points to pair with six boards. He would sit down with the voice of the Warriors, Dave Rosenthal, after the game and give his thoughts on the win.
"It's all 40 minutes. You can't let up like we did. So, we ended up in a close one late in the game."
Aydan Janssan also had a big night as he finished with another double-double of 15 points and 11 boards.
Myles Corey would also score 15.
On playing with Janssan, Blackmon would add, "He does it all. He's a big man. It's definitely fun playing with him."
The Warriors will look to clean some things up, but it's back to the road this weekend as Jessup visits Oregon. The trip starts with a visit to Warner Pacific on Friday night, followed by a matchup against Multnomah on Saturday.
Jessup will be back on Horton Court on November 25 when they host Pacific Union.
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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).
