January 5, 2024

Briscoe's 22 Points Not Enough as WU Falls

Video Box Score
The Westcliff men's basketball team resumed conference play as they hosted the Benedictine Mesa Redhawks on Thursday night.
 
The pressure of winning the Cal Pac title is felt as every opponent plays their best to take down the defending champs as they fell 74-64.
 
The Warriors started well in the first half and were up by 16-8 after a three from Korey Hess. 
 
But the Redhawks kept chipping away at that lead and had tied it up at 28-28 with three minutes left in the first half.
 
Missed shots but the Warriors ultimately led to them falling behind and trailing 36-32 going into the halftime break.
 
Westcliff struggled for much of the second half and trailed by double digits until the last seven minutes when they made a push.
 
Rayven Turner converted on a layup to put them within five points with 5:27 left.
 
But turnovers and fouls did not help as the Redhawks took advantage and were able to hold their lead down the stretch.
 
"It was a disappointing effort after playing well vs a Division 1 team," said head coach Jerred Cook. "We lost this game on defense, missed opportunities on offense, and heart.

This team wanted it more and it was evident. Our current team is inheriting but not fully embracing that we are a championship program that will get everyone's best shot. Beating us makes their season."
 
WU struggled from the field shooting 37.7% and only 14.3% from the three-pointer. They shot it well from the free throw line, 15-21.
 
But Benedictine was able to outhustle the Warriors on the boards 41 to 34.
 
One of the positives for the Warriors was Jamal Briscoe who scored a team-high 22 points on 8-13 shooting. Briscoe went perfect from the free throw line in his six attempts.
 
John Duff recorded another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds even after a scary fall during the first half. Duff shook it off and was able to play the remainder of the game. 
 
Westcliff will have to quickly learn from this game and switch gears as they will play Park-Gilbert on Saturday at 4PM.
 
"We have to quickly shift our mentality and lock in on our next opponent," Cook said.