Redding, Calif. – William Jessup's men's basketball team (9-4) returned from Christmas vacation to travel to Simpson University (2-15) on Saturday. The Warriors dropped into a 9 point deficit early but remained unstoppable for the rest of the contest for a 77-68 win in Redding.
It took a few minutes for the Warriors to find their legs after the drive Saturday night. After suffering an 18-9 deficit in the first quarter of gameplay, the Warriors quickly captured their stride. The second 10 minutes of the first half saw the Warriors outscore the Redhawks 31-12 to take a 42-30 lead into half-time talks.
Jessup relied heavily on dribble penetration and post play to sprint past Simpson in the first half of play, shooting just 1-6 from behind the three point arc. The Warriors performed marvelously from the free throw line; however, nailing 9-10 and making Simpson pay for every defensive error.
Simpson came out of the gates fighting once again in the second half but struggled to make up ground. The Warriors, on the other hand, were looking to put the game out of reach for the Redhawks but struggled to find the edge to finish off their opponents. The game remained with the Warriors holding a double-digit, 10 point lead with 10 minutes remaining in play.
Jessup finally pulled away from the Redhawks in the final five minutes of play leading by as many as 19. Jessup found their edge converting off of turnovers, besting Simpson by 17 points in the statistic despite having committed only one fewer turnover than their opponent. Simpson would make a final surge in the closing seconds but it was not enough and the Warriors closed the game 77-68.
"We played with great energy," commented Jessup head coach Lance Von Vogt. "We needed to knock off the Christmas rust and this tune up allowed us to do that."
Junior Guillermo Nunez (Manteca, CA) led the Warriors offensively with 19 points shooting 8-14 from the field. Senior Corey Clement (Las Vegas, NV) followed closely with 18 points of his own to go along with 7 rebounds. Kelton Newman (Elk Grove, CA) and Desmond Floyd (Gilbert, AZ) each posted 11 points in the victory.
Simpson was led by freshman Joseph Bosetti (Red Bluff, CA) who recorded 16 points along with 7 rebounds.
The Warriors will remain on the road but return to conference play next week as they travel to #10 Hope International University. Jessup will return to Warrior Arena in Rocklin on January 14 to take on Biola University. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7:30 p.m.
***
William 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 William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).
