By Don Gilmore, Assistant SID

Scoring runs can be devastating and decisive.

Such was the case Saturday afternoon in Rocklin when The Master’s University went on a huge, first-quarter spurt that propelled it to a 64-43 win over host William Jessup.

Improving to 20-4 overall with its 12th straight victory, the Mustangs maintained their two-game lead in the GSAC where they are 12-1.

“It was a great team win,” said head coach Dan Waldeck. “Our bench was outstanding and the contributions we received from every player helped earn us the victory.”

The win marked the sixth time in the past seven years that a Waldeck-coached squad has won at least 20 games, and it came on the strength of that first-quarter outburst.

The Mustangs closed the opening period on a 21-3 run, turning what had been a 6-6 score with 6:25 on the clock into a comfortable 27-9 lead.

Tristen Coltom drained a three-pointer with three seconds left in the period, the sophomore’s second three in as many Mustang possessions, and Hannah Forrar scored nine straight points at one point during the run.

Jessup never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way after a Creonah Bryant three-pointer made it a 38-27 game 52 seconds into the third quarter.

The Warriors didn’t score again until 3:30 was left in the stanza after the Mustangs limited them to just four shots, all misses, and forced four turnovers in a 5:38 window.

TMU led 49-35 after three quarters.

Then the Mustangs held their hosts scoreless during the initial 3:33 of the fourth quarter and to just eight points overall on 4-13 shooting.

The Mustangs enjoyed a game-high 21-point lead twice in the final two minutes.

Freshman center Stephanie Soares, who paced three Mustangs in double figures, posted her 20th double-double of the year with game-highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Forrar scored 12 points to lead a 34-point scoring performance from TMU’s bench. Junior Sabrina Thompson added 11 more.

The Mustangs return to Southern California after their NorCal swing but stay on the road next Thursday when they play at Hope International.

“To get two road wins this weekend is tremendous,” said Waldeck. “I’m thrilled with how we defended with toughness and identity while continuing to play as a team offensively.”