William Jessup University Athletics issued the following announcement.
Closing out their over 2,000-mile road trip this week with their fifth game, the Warriors faced the College of Idaho Yotes in their second matchup in the same number of days. Today,
being a new day, the Warriors seized the opportunity with a 64-52 victory over the Yotes improving to 2-5 overall.
"It is great to end the 2100 mile road trip with that win," head coach Hernando Planells said. " I'm excited for the team and what we're building, they really learned a lot this week
and put it all together the last few days."
Overall history with the Yotes is now 1-1 as the Warriors bounced back from the two-point loss yesterday to maintain a double-digit lead throughout, timing back to the first quarter.
Planells credits the fast-paced offense, but also the demanding defense that garnered the team 9 total blocks, tying the program record set back in 2017. Of those 9 was six alone
from senior Miranda Zaragoza who tied her personal-best single-game record from 2018 against conference foe Life Pacific.
"Miranda does a great job controlling the middle and she has great timing when someone goes up for the shot," but Planells credits her teammates as well to make it happen, "Our
perimeter defense does their job in funneling the offensive to her to provide the opportunity and that's why she is one of the best centers in the country."
Not wasting any time, the Jessup women's basketball team came out on fire in the first half as they used a three-minute 10-0 run in the opening quarter to take the 23-7 advantage.
The Warriors would finish the first 20 minutes of play with an impressive seven buckets from beyond the arc and 54-percent shooting from the field. Going 3-for-4 in those starting
quarters was junior JoeLyn Stirton who had 9 points to lead the Warriors into the break with a 41-21 edge over the Yotes.
While College of Idaho held the advantage in the points column for the second half, the Warriors continued to push the pace offensively adding 33 of their own for the 12-point
victory, a 64-52 final.
"We started fast offensively and we told them during halftime when the offense isn't working we have to buckle down on defense." Planells credits the team's adjustment, "They
were in the gaps, denied their two best players who weren't getting looks and that allowed us to get fast breaks off of an outstanding rebounding effort."
The Warriors will head home for the majority of the week to prepare for their matchup against the University of San Francisco slated on Friday before taking some time for the
holiday season.
"This week we are going to work on principles to strengthen us to play USF." Planells continued, "Then a few weeks off, a much-needed break, but continue building with what
we're doing that prepares us mentally, physically and emotionally for GSAC and the run we're looking to make."
First-year head coach Planells concluded with his excitement for his team and the season ahead. "I'm excited for the team, that they have grown together on and off the court
despite the hecticness of long van rides, Covid testing and playing with less than 24-hour turnaround. They're growing from it all, and it is beautiful to watch."
Original source can be found here.
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