ROCKLIN, Calif.--- The Stan State men's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a 77-74 victory over Jessup University Friday evening at Warrior Arena. The Warriors built an 11-point lead in the first half and held off a late Jessup rally to begin the season 1-0.
First Half
The Warriors and Jessup traded the lead early before Stan State created separation midway through the opening half. Jaidon Nassar scored nine first-half points in his Stan State debut, including a three-pointer that helped the Warriors take a 19-15 lead.
Stan State later used a 9-0 run to build a 23-17 advantage. Jaylen Valdez added five points during the run, while Nassar and JJ Funk each contributed to the Warriors' offensive attack.
Mark Jones III's three-pointer with 3:20 remaining gave Stan State its largest lead of the half at 37-26. Jessup closed the gap before halftime, but the Warriors took a 38-32 lead into the break.
Second Half
Stan State extended its lead to 42-32 early in the second half after a Jason Zimmer jumper and two free throws from Jones III. Jessup answered with a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to five, but the Warriors responded with baskets from Funk, Jones III and Antony Newman-Gomez.
Newman-Gomez scored seven points during a key stretch midway through the half, including three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt. His free throws gave Stan State a 57-45 lead with 10:18 remaining.
Jessup continued to battle and pulled within four points at 60-56 with 7:17 left. Stan State pushed the advantage back to double digits at 67-57 with 5:34 remaining, but the home team mounted one final push.
Jessup cut the lead to 72-69 with 56 seconds left. Jones III answered with a layup and two free throws, giving the Warriors a 76-71 lead with 18 seconds remaining. Jessup scored three more points to make it 76-74, but Zimmer made the final free throw with 11 seconds left, and Stan State held on for the three-point victory.
Warrior Notables
- Antony Newman-Gomez recorded a career-high 17 points and added eight rebounds.
- Mark Jones III finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.
- Jaidon Nassar scored 13 points in his Stan State debut, adding four rebounds, two steals and one block.
- JJ Funk contributed nine points and seven rebounds.
- Jason Zimmer added nine points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
- Jaylen Valdez scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds in his season debut.
- Diego Martinez scored seven points in his Stan State debut.
- Jojo Wicker made his season debut and recorded one steal.
- Stan State shot 78.8 percent from the free-throw line and outrebounded Jessup 41-46.
Up Next
Stan State will face Dominican University of California on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. at Warrior Arena in Rocklin as part of the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. The game will be streamed live on the PacWest Network, with Bryan Nelson calling the action on BlueChip Broadcasting. Live stats will be available at WarriorAthletics.com.
