By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

Of the Mustangs’ five losses last season, an all-time program low, Westmont College dealt one of them — a double-overtime setback that pumped the breaks on what still became a banner year.

Saturday at TMU, the Warriors were at it again, cutting into Mustang second-half leads like an unwelcome dance partner.

This time, the No. 4 Mustangs met the challenge and walked away with a 74-71 win before a capacity crowd. It was TMU’s 18th straight victory, fifth straight to open Golden State Athletic Conference play. And it looked like it might come a lot easier.

Master’s (19-1) led 43-30 at the break and by 10 with eight minutes to play. But the Warriors (14-4, 4-1) cut the lead to five a few minutes later and came within one three times in the final minute and a half.

Each time, the Mustangs answered at the free throw line. Hansel Atencia made four. Tim Soares made two, capping his team-high 20 points for the night. He also pulled down 12 rebounds.

Atencia ended up with 18 points, 12 of which came after halftime as he sensed the Mustangs’ advantage start to slip away.

“When there’s a ball screen, the big guy is going to guard me,” Atencia said. “So I have to go. I have to take it.”

Mustang Brock Gardner scored 15 points and added nine rebounds. Teammate Lawrence Russell continued to dabble in all forms of statistical artistry.

He tallied 10 points, six boards and four assists. His four blocks and three steals keyed a defense that held Westmont below 40% from the floor .

One second-half sequence summed up the game’s style. 733

Atencia blocked a Westmont shot from behind. The Mustangs ran. A 3-pointer rimmed out, and Russell battled two Warriors to secure the rebound and draw a foul.

He hit both free throws.

“It was a game that ended up being more at their tempo than ours,” said TMU Coach Kelvin Starr. “… We haven’t been tested like that for a long time. And we knew Westmont was not going to go away.”

Olisa Nwachie, a springy 6-foot-7 forward, led Westmont with 26 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. But it wasn’t enough to keep the Warriors in a tie with Master’s and Hope International atop the GSAC standings.

“To be a national champion, which is our long-term goal,” Starr said, “you have to take care of these games and learn from them. Tonight, I’m just happy to learn from a win.”

A gritty win that wasn’t without glamorous moments.

Like when Russell found a clear path in transition and didn’t stop till he leveled a jarring slam dunk. Or when Soares flushed the ball over a Warrior and drew a foul to the delight of raucous Mustang fans.

“It was crazy,” Atencia said of game tabbed “Stampede 2018,” which featured a barbecue and activities before the men’s and women’s games. “I appreciated our fans. You enjoy playing in front of a crowd like this. You always have energy no matters what happens.

“… And having the (live) band here, that was kind of new. I liked it.”

Master’s will stay at home next week, hosting Vanguard (receiving votes) on Thursday and No. 7 Hope International on Saturday. Both games are 7:30 p.m. starts.