SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Just 375 days removed from the Warriors' shocking opening night victory against Sacramento State, the Warriors returned to the scene of the crime as another season kicked off in
The Nest. Poised to avoid another loss to the Warriors, the Hornets settled the score this time around, leading all 40 minutes on the way to a 78-51 victory.
Monday's battle, for the second year in a row, was deemed an exhibition. The loss does not count towards Jessup's overall record.
"I think we learned a lot," said head coach
Corey Laster. "This was a much better Sac State team than the one we played last year. Our defense wasn't great tonight, and we missed a lot of easy looks, but the more games we play, and the more competition we see, these things will start to correct themselves."
The Hornets scored first in Monday's meeting, a layup 13 seconds in by Lina Falk, and from that point on, their lead was never relinquished. Jessup began the game on the wrong end of a 9-0 run, with the first bucket of the season coming off a
Kayla Vieira jumper three minutes in.
Sacramento State held a comfortable 26-11 advantage at the end of one quarter, and their lead continued to grow in the second period, as the Warriors found themselves in a hole that touched 23 points. The lead reached as high as 25 near the midway point of the third.
Jessup bounced back from the 25-point hole with their best stretch of the night, an 11-0 run that saw four Warriors score.
The 11-0 run by the Warriors seemed to frustrate the Hornets, causing them to sting the Warriors with a run of their own in the fourth, as a 26-4 run negated any chance of the Warriors making a late comeback.
Leading the Warriors on the offensive end Monday night was guard
Andrea Jovicevic, as her 15 points were the third most by any player on the court. Jovicevic saw the bulk of her scoring come at the charity stripe, as she knocked down 11-of-13 at the line.
On Jovicevic's night, Laster added, "(Andrea) is a good player. Last year we had two players who were able to really score for us, and I think right now we're looking for a second player to step up."
Jacklyn Kulow finished the night with nine points.
Natalie Moulos scored six, and five were put up from Vieira,
Amari Guiton, and
Tatiana Newsome.
Makaila Glynn and
Laia Pala led in rebounding with five each.
The Warriors shot 31 percent from the floor on Monday night, compared to a 45 percent performance by the Hornets. Falk led the way, scoring 17, while Jaydia Martin finished with 16 points.
Jessup will make their home debut on Friday, as they start off the 18th annual Bill Holtz Warrior Classic with a first-time meeting against Alaska Anchorage. The Holtz Classic continues on Saturday when the Warriors welcome another Alaskan program, Alaska Fairbanks.
Tickets for the Holtz Classic 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).
