SAN DIMAS, Calif. – Coming off back-to-back losses, the Warriors did not need to win on Saturday to qualify for the conference tournament, but they did need to remove the bad taste of losing from their mouth. A dominating second half did just that, as a 97-65 win sends the Warriors into Fullerton on a winning note.
With the first regular season of head coach
Mark Darnall's time with the Warriors complete, Jessup enters the postseason at 17-10. Jessup wraps up GSAC action with an 8-6 record.
Life Pacific hung around for a while on Saturday, as after Jessup jumped out to a commanding 17-3 lead to start, LPU climbed back to within four with just over 4:30 remaining in the first half.
A 7-2 run by LPU to end the half sent Jessup into the locker room with a 43-37 lead.
The second half saw Jessup turn it up a notch, starting with an 11-0 run to push the lead back to double-digits. A 17-4 run later in the half only grew the lead, as the Warriors found themselves with a 20-point advantage.
Jessup shot 64 percent from the field in the second half, with seven of their baskets coming from three-point range. The Warriors knocked down 14 triples on the day.
Ty Artis led the scoring with 18 points, as he went 3-of-4 from distance.
Aydan Janssan wrapped up a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Jessup had five players end the game in double-figures, as
Nigel McKay (14),
Myles Corey (11), and
Xavier Lovelace (10) added to the scoring efforts.
LPU saw four players put up double-figures, with Austin Cook leading the way with 17 points. With an 0-14 record, Saturday marks the end of the road for LPU's 23-24 season.
Outcomes around the GSAC on Saturday pushed the Warriors up to the fourth seed as they draw OUAZ in the opening round. The Warriors and Spirit split in their regular season series, with both teams claiming victory on their home courts.
The 2024 GSAC Tournament will take place on the campus of Hope International University in Fullerton. Jessup's quarterfinal matchup is scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. The winner will go on to play in the semifinal on Friday night.
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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).
