Last week, The Master’s University’s soccer and volleyball teams’ seasons came to an end. This weekend, TMU’s cross country teams will compete at the NAIA National Championship, while Mustang basketball looks to continue its hot start…
Men’s basketball
Last Friday, Reid Shackelford buried a school-record 10 3-pointers and scored 51 points to lead The Master’s University past Embry-Riddle Aeronautical of Arizona, 124-78.
Shackelford’s record-breaking performance, edging past Mustang Hall of Famer Mike Penberthy’s mark of nine treys set during the 1995-96 campaign, was part of a team barrage that produced new standards for 3-pointers attempted (39) and made (21).
Shackelford’s career-high point total came on 15-of-21 shooting from the field, featuring 10-of-15 from behind the arc, and an 11-of-12 showing from the line. TMU’s Lawrence Russell tossed in 18 points and handed out a game-high seven assists, while Hansel Atencia chipped in with 12 more. Timothy Soares hauled down a career-high 12 rebounds.
The next day, TMU produced a decisive 102-77 over Benedictine of Arizona on Bross Court. The victories improved the Mustangs to 4-0, giving them as many victories as they had all of last season.
Delewis Johnson’s season-high 23 points led all scorers and paced six Mustangs in double figures. Atencia finished with 21 points and distributed four assists, while Russell put together another solid, all-around game with 19 points, a game-high 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, five steals and three assists.
On Thursday, TMU hosts Bethesda at 5 p.m. on TMU’s Bross Court.
Women’s basketball
Last Friday, The Master’s University women’s basketball team beat NCAA Division III Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 58-38 in an exhibition on Bross Court.
The Mustangs led the Athenas for the entirety of the evening and finished the exhibition by going 19-51 (37 percent) from the field, 5-18 (28 percent) from behind the arc, and 15-24 on free throws (62 percent)
Highlighting TMU’s efforts was Bianca Cubello, who finished the evening with a double-double after scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Not to be overlooked, Hannah Ostrom scored 11 points and was perfect on both free throws (4-4) and three-pointers (1-1).
This weekend, the Mustangs will open their season with a pair of home games. On Friday, TMU will take on Embry-Riddle at 5:30 p.m., and then will welcome the University of La Verne to Bross Court on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Cross country
On Saturday, The Master’s University cross country teams will compete at the NAIA National Championships at the North Farm Cross Country Course in Elsah, Illinois.
The fifth-ranked Mustangs men’s team will compete at 7:30 a.m., while the sixth-ranked Mustangs women will compete at 8:30 a.m.
Last season, TMU’s men’s team finished ninth out of a field of 36 teams with a collective time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 43.1 seconds, while its women’s team finished seventh out of a field of 35 teams with a cumulative time of 1:32:44. The women’s team’s seventh-place finish is currently the highest placing a TMU women’s cross country team has ever earned at the NAIA National Championship.
Women’s volleyball
The Master’s University volleyball team’s 2016 record concluded at 20-11 overall and 12-4 in the Golden State Athletic Conference last Tuesday after the Mustangs beat Hope International University of Fullerton in three sets (25-22, 25-14, 25-10) on Bross Court.
Morgan Koch posted 11 kills and two blocks, Kayla Sims tallied 31 assists and nine digs, while Emily Clark led TMU with 11 digs. Collectively, TMU claimed 46 digs, 40 kills, 37 assists, seven total team blocks, and .284 attack percentage.
Notably, it’s the second time since 2012 that the Mustangs have amassed 20 victories throughout the regular-season.
Men’s soccer
Last Thursday, The Master’s University men’s soccer team’s 2016 overall record concluded at 11-7-2 as the Mustangs fell to the Westmont College Warriors 1-0 in overtime during the GSAC Tournament semifinals on the campus of Biola University in La Mirada.
Thursday’s match ended two minutes into the extra period when Warrior Francisco Castro put one by Mustang goalie Kyle Cunningham on a free kick. In a match featuring 32 shots, including eight on goal, it was the Warriors who made good on the final one of the afternoon to post the 1-0 win.
TMU’s 2016 season was highlighted by the program’s 300th win under 26-year head coach Jim Rickard and double-digit victories for the 19th time during his coaching era.
Women’s soccer
The Master’s University women’s soccer team’s overall record concluded at 8-7-5 last Thursday night after falling to Vanguard 1-0 in overtime during the GSAC semifinals at Biola.
TMU’s Whitney Gomillion and Sierra Carrasco both posted three shots and two shots on goal, while Lynnae George tallied three shots and one shot on goal. Jessica Zubia, TMU’s goalkeeper, grabbed eight saves.
The Mustangs enter the off-season eager to build on 2016’s results. Attesting to its depth, TMU parts ways with a handful of seniors, but will return upward of 20 players in 2017.
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