ROCKLIN, Calif. – Week two of the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic started off with enough excitement to fill a season, as fans were treated to two great games inside Warrior Arena. In the nightcap, the Warriors took on an old rival in the Red Hawks of Simpson, and after 40 minutes of basketball, no winner was decided, sending the contest to overtime.
Tied at 75 at the end of regulation, five more minutes were put on the clock to decide a winner. In another close battle down to the wire, Jessup held on by three after a last-second heave from the Red Hawks misfired.
The closing seconds were set up after a trip to the free throw line ended with the Warriors going 0-for-2, allowing Simpson a chance to tie with four seconds to go. Simpson pushed the ball upcourt, setting up a three by Kellen Torrey that missed.
Free throws were a bit of a struggle for the Warriors all night, as they finished 27-of-46 from the line.
Simpson's late push was set up by a strong second half in which they put up 39 points. Jessup led the contest early, taking a 46-36 lead into the locker room. A 39 percent shooting performance by the Warriors in the second half resulted in Simpson outscoring the Warriors by ten to force the extra period.
The Warriors were paced by a 22-night performance by
Wyatt Studer. Studer connected on 7-of-8 from the field, adding six rebounds and a block. He also knocked down 6-of-10 from the charity stripe.
Jessup had four players in double-figures Friday night.
Cayden McDaniel was next in the scoring column with 14 points.
Ja'Maris Blackmon added 12, with
Tamatoa Humbert making his season debut with 10 points.
Simpson saw Timothey Parker and Drey Ubas lead the way with 17 points each. Five Red Hawks ended the night in double-figures.
The day began with another close contest, with UC Merced piecing together a big second-half comeback to take down Menlo College. Merced will take that momentum into Saturday night, where they are scheduled to face the Warriors.
Jessup and Merced will tip off at 7 p.m. on Saturday night in the finale of the 18th annual Holtz Classic. Tickets are on sale
HERE.
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Jessup University is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. 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 (Instagram & X).
