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
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Game Recap By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

In Darryl McDowell-White‘s estimation, Thursday’s regular-season finale was something of a tipping point.

The Mustangs had already claimed at least a share of their second straight Golden State Athletic Conference title, but the junior guard said the night’s matchup with Hope International held tremendous value – beyond simply claiming the crown outright.

“If we take care of it, we can walk around and say we won it by ourselves and go into the postseason confident and building on what we’ve done,” said McDowell-White. “Or we can fall back to what we’ve already done and have a tie championship and then we have to reboot the system again.”

No reboot will be necessary. The Mustangs played inspired defense and had three players score at least 20 points in a 100-86 win over the Royals, a team that received votes in the most recent NAIA Division 1 poll and that entered the night uncertain about its GSAC tournament prospects and with much to play for.

The No. 5-ranked Mustangs (25-5, 14-4 GSAC) played like a desperate team, however, surging from behind in the first half and holding off a second-half rally to avoid sharing the GSAC title with Vanguard.

Master’s – which will be the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament in Rocklin, California – became the first men’s team to win consecutive GSAC titles since Concordia Irvine won three straight from 2009-2012.

The Mustangs are also the owners of a 37-game home winning streak. The team hasn’t lost inside The MacArthur Center in back-to-back seasons.

Tim Soares led the Mustangs with 26 points Saturday, shooting the ball with ample confidence from outside the paint. The 6-foot-10 center made 8-of-13 shots, 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

“When he starts making shots, the lane is so open for us and we can drive and kick and get better shots,” said point guard Hansel Atencia, who dished out 10 assists to go with six points.

Delewis Johnson scored 25 points and Brock Gardner added 20 points and nine rebounds for the Mustangs. Gardner had 14 points in the first half, when Master’s used a 20-2 run to climb out of an early hole.

The Mustangs’ focus was on better defending Hope’s ball screens. When the teams met in Fullerton on Feb. 7, TMU struggled to stop the screener from rolling to the basket and fell behind by 19 in the second half. Johnson called it a turning point in the season, each player letting go of personal ambition and buying into a team concept.

The Mustangs came all the way back to beat Hope and won their next five games. In Thursday’s rematch, Master’s hedged hard on Royal ball screens, with a help defender swooping over to pick up the screener as he rolled.

“Our defensive effort in the first half was unbelievable,” said coach Kelvin Starr, who was also pleased with the way his team made the extra pass and employed patience on offense.

The Mustangs dished out 23 assists on 35 baskets and continued to shoot better from three. Players and coaches attribute the improvement from distance – TMU has shot 44% on 93 attempts over its last four games – to film study aimed at helping players take the right threes: say, on a drive and kick instead of off the dribble and out of the flow of the offense.

McDowell-White has been the biggest beneficiary, his teammates finding him in the corner for open threes. He made 4-of-5 on Thursday, the third time in the last four games he’s made at least four treys and shot better than 57% from distance.

Despite the loss, Hope secured a bid to the GSAC tournament as the sixth seed. The Royals will play No. 19 William Jessup in the quarterfinals on March 7. Master’s will play the winner of Westmont and Arizona Christian in the semifinals on March 8 at 7:30 p.m.

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
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Master's University men's volleyball team took to the road and came away with a 3-set victory, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22, over the Hope International Royals in Fullerton.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battling back from a 12-point deficit, The Master's University basketball team had the lead late but could not hold it, losing to the No. 1 seed Freed-Hardeman 68-69 in the Round of 16 at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
GOLETA — College of the Canyons fielded two teams at the annual 3C2A State Preview event at Sandpiper Golf Course on Monday, with the Cougars finishing sixth and eighth in the field of 18 teams from around the state. 
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Cason Brownell had a bases-loaded double in the first and added a home run in the sixth to knock in all four runs The Master's needed in a 4-3 win over Westcliff Tuesday in Irvine.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
SCVNews.com