Game Recap By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

His timeout granted, TMU coach Kelvin Starr delivered a message that was both practical – Master’s needed a defensive stop and a bucket – and psychological in nature.

The Mustangs led by five with under two minutes to play, and a trip to their third straight Golden State Athletic Conference tournament final was on the line.

“He told us not to get rattled,” said forward Brock Gardner, “and to handle the pressure.”

The Mustangs kept their cool and kept Westmont College from coming any closer in the closing moments of Friday’s 83-71 GSAC semifinal win in Rocklin, California.

On TMU’s next possession, Hansel Atencia dribbled around defenders and pulled up for a midrange fadeaway along the baseline. It swished.

Moments later, Gardner blocked a shot to all but seal a meeting with host William Jessup on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Mustangs (26-5) are seeking to become the first-ever men’s program to win three straight GSAC tournament titles.

“We just want to keep winning,” said Atencia, who finished with 20 points and six assists. “And if there are records that we can break, then we will do that too. But at the end of the day, this is all about winning.”

It’s something the Mustangs have done without exception when leading at halftime. Entering Friday, Master’s was 20-0 this season when it led after 20 minutes. And this time, despite Westmont scoring the game’s first seven points, the Mustangs led by nine at the break.

Master’s led by as many as 15 in the second half, but Westmont wasn’t going away.

The Warriors cut the deficit to five three times in the final five minutes, the second time coming with 2:33 to play. After Westmont missed a layup that would have made things truly interesting, Starr called a timeout.

“He told us not to worry about the things that we can’t control and just play our game and finish it,” said Atencia.

TMU’s Delewis Johnson played his game, bullying his way to the basket and tossing in soft midrange jumpers. He led the Mustangs with 22 points, making 10-of-13 foul shots and pulling down nine rebounds.

“He got downhill when we needed a bucket,” Starr said. “He got to the line and stopped the bleeding a couple times.”

Gardner had 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, and Tim Soares contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds, playing only 23 minutes due to foul trouble.

Still, Soares’ presence loomed large in the paint, where Master’s outscored the Warriors 38-22.

The Mustangs won the rebound battle 46-33, a key factor in beating Westmont for the seventh straight time.

Now, Master’s will take on Jessup, a team it split two meetings with during the regular season.

Jessup beat the Mustangs in double-overtime in Rocklin on Feb. 2.

“It’s cool to get to face the (GSAC) Player of the Year (Keith Phillips) and be on their home court,” Johnson said of the matchup. “They have good guard play so it’s going to be a really good battle.”