The Oaks took the lead 20 seconds into the game, never trailed, and carried a comfortable lead down the stretch of a 64-56 victory over a William Jessup team that entered the night in a three-way tie for first place in the Cal Pac race. It was Menlo's fifth win in six games and came in front of an enthusiastic Senior Night crowd that will get at least one more chance to see the Oaks on the Haynes-Prim Pavilion court this season.

Rallying behind fifth-year senior Tim Kees, Menlo stormed out of the gate, making 6-of-7 shots to start the game. Drew Davis drained a 3-pointer, Kees finished off a three-point play at the free throw line, and Julian Harris made three consecutive baskets in the opening five minutes. William Jessup stuck right with the Oaks, though, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and trailing just 15-13 after a Jason Washington score.

That is when the well went dry - for the Warriors at least.

It took more than two minutes before another ball fell through the hoop, but it was a driving Dejon Grant score to extend Menlo's advantage. After almost four more minutes without any scoring, Grant found Ryan Dung on the wing for a 3-pointer that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Kees' stroke from the line was true for a pair of conversions and forward Nick McCullar also made two free throws as the Oaks pushed their lead to 24-13 with six minutes remaining until halftime. By the time Damal Neil scored inside with five minutes, 26 seconds left until the intermission William Jessup had gone more than 9 ½ minutes without scoring.

After the Warriors trimmed their deficit to 24-19, 6-foot-7-inch Tyler Rajnus got Menlo started again with a tip in and another inside score off a Grant assist. Neil split two free throws for William Jessup, but Harris stuck a pull-up jumper six seconds before the break for a 30-20 Oaks advantage.

Early in the second half it was Menlo's defense more than anything that kept William Jessup at bay, but the Oaks always found an offensive answer when it needed one.

It was an eight-point game nearly six minutes into the half when Rajnus scored inside and blocked a Kadeem Kirsten shot on the other end that led to a McCullar fast break layup. Kees added a free throw seconds later to put Menlo ahead 40-27.

Rajnus, Grant, and Andrew Young each scored in response to William Jessup baskets reestablishing a 13-point Oaks cushion each time as the final seven minutes approached. Kees scored from a Harris dish for a 48-33 lead with six minutes, 38 seconds left which seemed to signal the end for the Warriors.

William Jessup refused to go away, quickly pulling within 11 points. This time Harris made two free throws then answered a Neil score with a 3-pointer that made it 53-39. After Jason Washington scored for the Warriors, Harris was off with a 3-pointer that freshman forward Patrick Greene rebounded in traffic, tore away from his opponents grasp on the floor, and put into the basket to keep Menlo ahead by 14 with less than four minutes remaining.

Menlo had some nervy moments facing William Jessup's trapping full-court press in the final minutes, but converted at the free throw line and rebounded on the defensive end to keep its lead safe. The Warriors pulled within seven points with 2 ½ minutes remaining but Kees sank two free throws on the Oaks next trip down court. After a Washington miss, Kees missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw, but McCullar grabbed the offensive rebound and scored for a game-killing 59-48 lead with less than two minutes to go.

William Jessup never got closer than seven points from Menlo over the final 21 minutes, 31 seconds of the game.

Kees left the court in the final seconds to a rousing ovation after scoring 12 points with five rebounds. Harris led Menlo's offense with 17 points while McCullar had nine points and six rebounds. Rajnus netted eight points and grabbed four rebounds, Grant score four with six assists and five rebounds, and Young finished with four points and as many rebounds.

Washington scored a game-high 23 points for William Jessup, which shot just 32.7 percent from the field and were outrebounded 43-25 by the hungrier Oaks. Neil added 11 points and nine rebounds.