FRESNO, Calif. – A high-scoring first half set the tone for the Warriors on Thursday night, as Jessup ultimately claimed victory in Fresno, 66-61. In a short one-game trip away from Warrior Arena, Jessup took down PacWest foes Fresno Pacific to improve their conference mark to 4-8 in their inaugural season.
The Warriors now sit at 9-11 overall in their first Division II season.
Jessup jumped ahead to a 14-point lead at the conclusion of the first quarter on Thursday, as a 24-10 advantage saw the Warriors shoot 53 percent from the field. The Warriors knocked down all three of their attempts from both the free-throw line and three-point range to aid in the early scoring boost.
That advantage continued to grow in the second, with Jessup outscoring the Sunbirds 22-14 to take a 22-point lead into the locker room.
It was halfway through Thursday's contest before FPU began to fight back with the Warriors' attack. A 43 percent showing from the field by the Sunbirds in the third, countered by a 2-for-11 attack by the Warriors, allowed Fresno Pacific to outscore the Warriors by 12 and cut the deficit to ten.
Jessup's lead eventually got as small as one point, as FPU scored six straight early in the fourth before the Warriors could counter. A Sunbird three with 14 seconds left had the contest at a three-point game, but two Jessup free throws ultimately iced the victory.
Those final two attempts at the line were converted by
Tatiana Newsome, who went 10-for-11 at the charity stripe as part of a 12-point performance.
Kayla Vieira also scored in double-figures with 11 points.
Natalie Moulos added eight.
FPU saw three players finish in double-digits, with Angela Whitfield leading the way at 14.
Next on the schedule is a first for the Warriors, as they are set to take on the Sea Lions of Point Loma Nazarene on Saturday at noon. The matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools in women's basketball.
Tickets for Saturday afternoon's clash inside Warrior Arena 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).
