header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


On a night when The Master’s University men’s basketball team dug a hole too deep to climb out of, a historical turnaround came to an end in a heartbreaking 77-75 loss to Texas Wesleyan at the NAIA Division I Men’s National Tournament in Municipal Auditorium.

After recording just four wins last year, the Mustangs reversed field dramatically in 2016-17, going 27-5, winning the GSAC Tournament for the first time in program history, earning a No. 8 ranking prior to the national tourney, and returning to the tournament for the first time since 2000. The five losses equaled the fewest in school annals, matching the 1993-94 and 1994-95 national tournament squads that went 28-5 and 31-5, respectively.

Head coach Kelvin Starr, who oversaw the about-face, would have liked one less loss and another game toward a possible national championship, but couldn’t help but be effusive in his praise following the game, saying, “I’m so proud of this group of young men that made the historic turnaround possible. I’m also thankful for my assistant coach, Troy Leaf. His value to the program is huge.”

The Mustangs had to fight from behind from the start, falling behind 4-0 before senior Reid Shackelford hit a jumper with 14:07 left in the first half to give the club a 9-7 lead. Two possessions later, the Mustangs found themselves down 12-9.

However, Delewis Johnson came off the bench to spark a 9-0 run, scoring seven of the points to move the Mustangs in front 18-12 at the 11:45 mark. It was the squad’s largest lead of the evening.

The Rams answered with six straight points and then rambled to a 23-20 lead with 8:18 left before halftime. Then in a first half that featured five ties and seven lead changes, the momentum turned back in the Mustangs’ favor as Johnson spearheaded another run, scoring all seven points in a 1:29 window to send his team back in front, 29-25.

There were several more lead changes in the closing moments of the first half until Hansel Atencia drained a three-pointer with 1:02 left to give the Mustangs a 35-34 lead. They led 37-36 at halftime after shooting 45.5% from the field with Johnson leading the way with 16 points.

Early in the second half, the Mustangs relinquished the lead (38-37) and then ripped off five straight points to take a 42-38 advantage with 17:32 left to play. Shackelford ignited the brief run with a three-pointer and Lawrence Russell capped it with a bucket.

A little over two minutes later (14:50), the Rams regained the lead for good, rattling off seven straight points to make it a 45-42 game. The Mustangs stayed close until an 11-2 burst by the Rams turned a one-point game (49-48) into a 60-50 advantage.

That proved to be too difficult for the Mustangs to overcome although they made a huge effort and nearly pulled out an improbable win. The rally began with 2:05 remaining when freshman Trevor Yenor converted three free throws that fueled an 8-0 run, drawing the Mustangs to 71-69 less than a minute later. Yenor added a three-pointer during the burst and when Atencia hit a basket in the lane at the 1:14 mark, it was a two-point game.

The Rams expanded the margin to four points on a couple of Ryan Harris free throws 40 seconds later and the junior guard duplicated that with 11 seconds remaining to put the game just out of reach because Atencia drained a three-pointer with two seconds left, pulling the Mustangs with 76-75. After Dion Rogers hit one free throw, he missed the second to keep the door open but Shackelford’s full-court heave at the buzzer hit off the backboard, leaving a bunch of disappointed Mustangs to contemplate what could have been.

After a respectable first half of shooting, the Mustangs managed just 28 percent accuracy in the second stanza, finishing at 36 percent for the game.

Johnson and Atencia paced five Mustangs in double figures, scoring 16 points apiece. Shackelford, playing his final game in the blue and gold, and Russell threw in 13 points each while Yenor finished with 10.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024
No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
No. 16 College of the Canyons took an early first quarter lead before suffering a 31-20 loss to visiting No. 13 Citrus College in its season opener at Cougar Stadium.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
The Jeepers Creepers Half-Marathon will be at Valencia Heritage Park, Sunday, Oct. 13 starting at 8 a.m.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
As part of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring local groundwater quality and reliability, the SCV Water recently began construction on a new treatment facility to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds at Well 205 in Valencia.
SCV Water Begins New Water Treatment Project in Valencia
Get ready to set sail at the Pirates SENSES Block Party, presented by the city of Santa Clarita, Thursday, Sept 19 from 7-10 p.m. on main street in Old Town Newhall.
Sept. 19: SENSES Pirate Block Party
No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
No. 21 Canyons Knocks Off No. 5 Fullerton 29-13
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Foothill League Football Begins for SCV Teams
The California Institute of the Arts will present the "NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball", Friday, Oct. 4, 7-11 p.m. at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Oct. 4: NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball at Cal Arts
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm.
Public Health Investigating Disease Spread from Animals to Humans
1879 - First official Newhall School building erected near Walnut & Ninth streets [story]
First Newhall School
SCVNews.com