ROCKLIN, Calif. – Jessup men's basketball team (13-11, 10-8 PacWest) traveled to the islands and defeated the University of Hawaii-Hilo (5-19, 5-13 PacWest) on Thursday night, 73-63.

The Warriors flew into Hawaii on a hot streak winning their last three conference matchups. Jessup saw Cayden McDaniel recognized by the PacWest as Player of the Week for his contributions throughout the team's successful February start. For the second time this season, the Warriors faced off against the Vulcans. In their first meeting, Jessup hosted Hilo in a tight early season battle where the Warriors fell, 73-70. 

For their second and final meeting, it started as a back and forth showdown. Each side took their chances and relied heavily on three ball opportunities. Jessup proved to be successful on their shots and shifted momentum midway the first half. Eight minutes into play, Wyatt Studer made a move around the Vulcans defender and drained a basket from beyond the arc to tie it at twelve apiece, 12-12. A minute later after a fight for a loose ball, Curro Segura made himself available and sank a three-pointer to tie it yet again, 15-15. As the half wound down, the Warriors jumped ahead and earned a lead. From smooth passing and a corner triple from Cayden McDaniel, the Warriors would go up five, 34-29. Jessup held the advantage after the first 20 minutes, 36-31. 

Back on the court for the second half, the Warriors grew their lead to double-digits after a pair of made free throws from Andre Norris, 43-33. The Vulcans attempted to stay competitive but Jessup continued to separate themselves. Already up eleven, coordinated passing by the visiting team allowed Tamatoa Humbert to nail a three that crossed the 50-point mark for Jessup, 51-37. The Warriors were relentless in their offensive push as Troy Crighton found a tight window for an assist off of a Segura layup, 53-42. Seconds later, Segura would do it all by himself as he stole the ball and on a fast break marched down the court to score a layup, 55-42. On a long three, McDaniel drained yet another triple to put his team up 14 points midway through the second half, 58-44. From nearly the same spot, Aleksandar Mitrovic added another three to the Warriors stat sheet, 61-44. 

Jessup's persistent pursuit of the basket and assertiveness from beyond the arc proved too much for the Hawaii-Hilo defense. The Warriors kept the Vulcans out of reach and held a consistent double-digit edge for most of the second half. The team's aggressive play throughout the game was emphasized by one of the final pushes from Norris. With 1:20 remaining and up by 16 points, the senior guard swatted the ball away from a Vulcan, drove it down the court and dropped it in the basket for two, 75-57. Jessup went on to win their first match in Hawaii by double-digits, 73-63. The victory put the Warriors two games above .500 improving their record to 13-11 and claimed their tenth conference win for a 10-8 record in PacWest play. 

Jessup men's basketball continues their three-game trip to the islands with a matchup against Chaminade University. The Warriors will take on the Swords on Saturday, February 14th with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 PM (PST). 

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Jessup University is a 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).