ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Warriors came into Thursday's battle with Hope International deadlocked in a four-way tie for first across the GSAC. In a wire-to-wire battle, the Warriors had their chances late to either tie or take the lead, but a 79-75 loss moves them into a cluster for second place.
Now 6-4 in conference action, the Warriors are one of four teams in a tie for second place. Others at 6-4 include HIU, Arizona Christian, and OUAZ. The Master's move into solo first after a win on Thursday night.
Guard
Myles Corey led the scoring with his 18-point performance.
Myles Corey (14),
Ja'Maris Blackmon (13), and
Aydan Janssan (11) rounded out the Warriors to finish in double-figures.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout Thursday, as in typical Jessup-HIU fashion, the teams played physically and traded basket-for-basket. Jessup trailed by six at the half, and after HIU pushed the lead to eight early in the second, the Warriors made their climb back as triples from Blackmon and
Xavier Lovelace cut the hole to two points.
Jessup took their first lead of the half with 11:46 to go on a Blackmon layup.
The game stayed narrow for the next ten minutes, setting up an epic finish in the closing 60 seconds. A pair of Corey free throws got Jessup within one with 59 seconds to go, but HIU knocked down a pair of their own on the opposite end time after time.
With 15 seconds to go, Jessup got their best chance to tie the game as Lovelace converted on a second-chance basket, drawing a foul in the process that sent him to the line. The opportunity for the three-point play was not converted, as HIU put the game away at the free throw line.
The Royals shot a perfect 14-of-14 from the line in the second half.
HIU was led by Jozell Carter Jr., who scored 24 points while knocking down nine at the line.
The Warriors will look to get a season sweep of Vanguard when they next hit the court. That home contest with the Lions is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
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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).
