FULLERTON, Calif. – The semifinals of the 2024 GSAC Tournament tipped off on Friday, as Jessup took on Arizona Christian with a shot in the conference championship game on the line. Jessup started red hot, leading by 15 early, but a massive ACU run in the second half ended Jessup's' final GSAC season with an 80-70 loss.
Jessup falls to 18-11 with the loss. Arizona Christian advances to the conference championship round, where they will meet either The Master's or Hope International.
First-year head coach
Mark Darnall acknowledged after the game that the future is unknown, so he wanted to thank his team for the job they have done so far. "We don't know what lies ahead, so you don't want to miss the opportunity to thank everyone for what they've done this season."
The Warriors were red-hot out of the gate, as a returning
Ja'Maris Blackmon made an early impact as he scored Jessup's first eight points. Jessup would not let their foot off the gas, as they eventually built the lead to 15 with 8:19 to go in the half.
Jessup's 15-point advantage was their largest of the night, but at the break, it was a ten-point advantage for the Warriors at 44-34.
It was out of the locker room where the momentum took a complete 180-degree turn, as Arizona Christian charged to a 28-4 run to start the second half, placing them on top 62-48. The Firestorm shot 60 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes, as they outscored the Warriors by 20.
The Warriors led for 60 percent of Friday's game, and they won the rebound batting 32-30, but they were no match for a hot Firestorm team down the closing stretches.
On what happened down the stretch, Darnall noted, "They pressured us down the stretch. We didn't get good action with our ball screens and our handoffs. They just did a better job defensively solidifying and making it harder on us. We just didn't get good looks because of it."
"It's a credit to them for how they ramped it up. But I am proud of the guys for not quitting and still competing there in the second half to give us a chance at the end."
Ty Artis led the Warriors in his final GSAC contest with 22 points on 9 of 19 from the field.
Myles Corey, who set a new career-high for points in a season last night, added 17 in the final GSAC game of his illustrious career.
Blackmon scored 12 in his return.
The future is unknown for the Warriors, as they will wait and see if their name is called as an at-large bid into the NAIA National Tournament. Darnall noted that if his team does not get the call, he is still proud of what they did in his first year. "I want to thank the seniors for their effort and our staff for making it a great first season here. I wouldn't want to do it with any other group. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life."
The 2024 NAIA Selection Show will be on March 7.
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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).
