WillIam Jessup - "Men’s Basketball Earns Highest Ranking in School History"

"ROCKLIN, Calif. –  The updated NAIA Division I Men's Basketball top-25 coaches poll was released Tuesday afternoon. After defeating the No. 7 ranked Westmont College 103-96 in overtime Thursday night, William Jessup University has earned their highest ranking in school history at No. 16.

"A lot of hard work and determination by many players has gone into building Jessup into a nationally ranked program. I am proud of the work we've put in, however I believe it is just the beginning for this team and this program," head coach Lance Von Vogt said. 

Since the previous ranking was released on January 3, the Warriors have posted a record of 2-1 with wins over Westmont College and Vanguard University. Jessup's lone loss came against Menlo College. The Warriors are 13-5, the best 18-game start in program history.

Jessup started the season receiving votes in the preseason coaches poll after finishing last season ranked No. 23 in the final postseason poll.

The Warriors currently sit at 2-0 on the season against ranked opponents. Along with the win against Westmont, the Warriors also defeated Biola University 67-61 back on December 10. Biola was ranked No. 1 in the nation entering the December meeting.

Westmont comes in at No. 5, two spots higher than they were Thursday night, in the latest poll. Biola drops from No. 3 to No. 7 in the current poll.

Arizona Christian University was dropped from the rankings after sitting at No. 14 in the previous poll. The Warriors travel to Phoenix to take on the Firestorm this Saturday. The Master's University was also dropped from the rankings.
GSAC schools Vanguard and Hope International each received votes. The Warriors are 1-0 against Vanguard and have yet to face Hope International this season.

In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors earned their first ever Division I ranking in route to a trip to the second round of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship.

The Warriors currently hold a record of 13-5 overall on the season, with a 3-1 record in Golden State Athletic Conference play. Jessup sits in a tie for second, one-game back from Westmont for first place in the GSAC standings.
Newly ranked No. 16 Jessup will be on the road this week to face San Diego Christian on Thursday, followed with a game at Arizona Christian on Saturday.

"We are about the journey of maximizing our abilities each day individually and collectively," commented Von Vogt. "Right now we are just scratching the surface of what we can become on and off the court. This is a special group of men and I look forward to see what we can accomplish together."