FULLERTON, Calif. – Two days after their first GSAC loss of the season, the Warriors were back in action on Saturday as they visited Hope International. Jessup found themselves in a big hole early on, setting up for an unbelievable comeback and a 15-point victory.
Jessup moves to 16-2 overall on the season, 3-1 in conference action. The Royals of Hope International are now 9-5 overall, with their GSAC record moving to 1-3.
The Warriors got off to a slow start as HIU put up 30 points in the first quarter, taking an 11-point lead after 10 minutes. HIU's opening period lead reached as many as 17 with 2:58 remaining in the quarter, largely thanks to a 53 percent shooting performance in the first.
Jessup shot just 25 percent in the opening period, but an area they dominated was on the glass. The Warriors pulled down 17 first-quarter boards as they ended the game, outrebounding the Royals 60-37.
The 60-rebound performance ties for the fourth most in program history.
Makaila Napoleon led the rebounding efforts as she pulled down 14 to pair with her team-leading 23 points.
Kayla Vieira pulled down eight boards, while
Brianna Byrnes added seven.
The Warriors continued to chip away at the HIU lead in the second, cutting within two points on a Vieira triple. But at the half, it was the Royals who led 45-38.
Hope would push their lead back to double-digits in the third, but back came the Warriors as they cut within three as Vieira sunk a pair of free throws. Then, with 8:02 remaining in the fourth, Jessup tied the game at 62 thanks to a Napoleon trip to the line.
Byrnes then converted a layup to give the Warriors their first lead since 90 seconds into the game.
What followed was domination out of the Warriors, as Jessup shot 46 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Royals 28-9 in the process. Napoleon saw 11 of her 23 points come in the final period as Jessup locked down to get the win.
Andrea Jovicevic scored 18 points in the win, as Vieira (11) and
Maila Lepolo (10) were the other Warriors in double-figures. HIU was led by Shailissa Jarrett, who scored 24.
Jessup now gets a lighter schedule for the upcoming week as they are set to take on their travel partner, Menlo. This means the Warriors will play just once, as they will be in Atherton next Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
The Warriors will be back on Horton Court on January 25 when Life Pacific comes to town.
***
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).
