GLENDALE, Ariz. – After receiving votes for the third straight time in the NAIA Coaches' Poll, the Warriors jetted off to Phoenix for a pair of games in Arizona this weekend. Starting off with the Arizona Christian Firestorm, Jessup dominated from the opening tip as the cruised to an 89-70 victory.
The win improves Jessup to 18-4 overall on the year, placing them two wins shy of the program's single-season record.
Thursday's game saw just two ties, one coming at the start when the two sides were scoreless and the other being at 2-2 after an ACU jumper with 7:58 to go in the first. The Warriors took the lead 13 seconds later on a
Neomi Davidson basket and then proceeded to never relinquish the lead.
Jessup led for the final 37:45 of game time, as their lead hit as high as 33 with 2:20 to go in the third quarter.
The Warriors' dominant performance came via a team effort, as five players dropped double-figures in the win. Leading the scoring was the combo of
Kayla Vieira and Davidson, as each dropped 16 pints. The duo combined to shoot 15-of-21 from the field (.625).
Maila Lepolo added a dozen points, her season-high, as she knocked down a pair of 3-pointers.
Andrea Jovicevic also scored a dozen.
Makaila Napoleon came off the bench to score 11 in her 20 minutes of action.
Thursday's win was a stark difference from Jessup's last meeting with ACU. During the Firestorm's visit to Rocklin, the game went into overtime, where Jessup pieced together a late run to steal the victory. In that game, ACU's Alyssa Alvarez scored a school-record 46 points.
Alvarez was held to just eight on Thursday.
With the Warriors transitioning out of the NAIA and into NCAA Division II, it is unknown whether this was the last meeting between the two schools. The all-time series is currently split 10-10, and a third matchup this season could occur later down the road in the GSAC Tournament.
Jessup is currently third in the GSAC with their 5-3 conference record, trailing Menlo (8-0) and Vanguard (6-2).
The Arizona road trip wraps up on Saturday as the Warriors visit OUAZ in Surprise. Jessup has never lost to OUAZ and will be looking to move one win closer to a single-season win record. Game time for Saturday is set for 11 a.m. (PST).
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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).
