ROCKLIN, Calif. – Back to Horton Court went the Warriors on Saturday as their short homestand wrapped up with a visit from the Mustangs of The Master's University. From the word go, it was all Jessup as they raced past the visiting Mustangs 104-76, giving Jessup their second 100 spot of the season.
The Mustangs led just once, a 3-0 lead after Caden Starr hit a triple on TMU's first possession. But then came
Myles Corey with a three of his own to even the score, and from that point on, it was all Warriors.
Jessup would take their first lead of the day on a
Ja'Maris Blackmon free throw, sparking an offensive outburst that included 55 first-half points.
The Warriors connected on 30-of-54 as a team on Saturday, posting a 56 percent shooting performance in the victory. Defensively, head coach
Mark Darnall's unit forced the Mustangs into 14 turnovers, which the Warriors converted into 17 points the other way.
When asked about how Jessup responded to TMU's defense, Corey stated, "We have great guards, and we like getting downhill. When they pressure us like that, that's our only job, getting downhill."
Corey led the way in scoring as he dropped 26 on 9-of-12 from the field. The bulk of that came in the first half as Corey entered the locker room with 19 points already on the stat sheet. Two other Warriors ended the game dropping 20, as Blackmon and
Ty Artis also did their part on the offensive end.
Corey spoke on his performance after the game and noted, "I've been coming off an injury, so I just had to focus on getting warm. When I get warmed up, I start feeling good, and things like that happen."
The Warriors are 10-4 this season in games where at least one player posts 20 points.
TMU was led by last season's GSAC Player of the Year, Kaleb Lowery, as he scored 21 points on 9-of-18 from the floor.
With the victory, Jessup improves to 14-6 overall and 5-2 in conference action. The Mustangs came into the week receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, and they now move to 4-3 in conference action.
With scores trickling in around the GSAC, the Warriors now find themselves tied with OUAZ and Arizona Christian for first place. Jessup does hold victories over those two programs, but coincidentally enough, those are also their next two opponents.
The Warriors will be in Arizona next week as they take on ACU and OUAZ, starting with the Firestorm on Thursday in Glendale.
When asked what it would take to win on the road, Corey added, "We just have to come out with the energy. We need to bring our own and be ready to play. We need to make sure we lock into the scout."
Jessup will be back on Horton Court on February 8 when they host Hope International.
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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).
