By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

Lawrence Russell and the Mustangs went where no Master’s University men’s basketball team in program history had gone before on Thursday night: 19 straight wins.

After a back-and-forth bruiser of a game, one where another opponent gave TMU its best shot, Master’s coach Kelvin Starr rested his hands on his hips and laughed.

“At least (assistant coach James) Mosley still has the record,” Starr quipped.

The Mustangs’ 86-79 home win over Vanguard University on Thursday delivered their 19th straight victory – a new program record, topping the mark set by the 1994-95 Mustangs.

Mosley, in his second season as a Mustang assistant, was an All-American on that 94-95 squad, which went on to win 31 games and advance to the NAIA’s elite eight.

This rendition of the Mustangs (20-1, 6-0 GSAC) has long-term goals of reaching that level of national glory and beyond. But, for now, they’re focused on navigating what’s proven to be a treacherous Golden State Athletic Conference slate.

Less than a week after Westmont College came to TMU and tested the Mustangs, ultimately falling by three points, the Mustangs had to fend off another visitor that refused to go away.

“They kept coming at us, and we just had to grind out possessions,” said guard Lawrence Russell, who finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. “It was a physical game. That’s just a GSAC game for you.”

After Vanguard’s Shacquille Dawkins hit a 3-pointer to cut TMU’s lead to 79-78 with 30 seconds to play, Mustang Hansel Atencia drew a foul and hit two free throws.

Russell secured the defensive rebound on Vanguard’s next possession, was fouled, hit a pair from the line and delivered the Mustangs from danger – if only temporarily.

Master’s will host No. 7 Hope International on Saturday night in a Top-10 matchup with GSAC title implications.

The Royals fell a game behind Master’s in the standings Thursday, losing to Westmont in double overtime on the road.

TMU was similarly tested. But it passed behind Tim Soares‘ big night in the post. The 6-foot-10 center tallied team-highs of 19 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks.

It was the second time in two seasons that he posted a double-double against the Lions, who, Thursday, were coming off a heart-wrenching home loss to San Diego Christian.

Maybe that fueled Vanguard’s pace, as the Lions kept in step with a Mustang team that wanted to run if not sprint. The Lions led by as many as five in the first half, before a Mustang surge gave TMU a 47-40 lead at the break.

Russell scored 11 of his points, with five assists, before halftime. Delewis Johnson bullied his way to the basket and finished the game with 12 points. Atencia added nine points and three assists, one an artful behind-the-back pass that found Soares for an uncontested dunk.

The majority of the night wasn’t as free and easy.

“It’s all going to be dogfights the rest of the year. If you’re No. 1, you have to be ready to compete every night,” said Starr, who told his team shortly before tip-off that a win Thursday would secure the longest winning streak in program history, a mark originally set by TMU legends like Mosley and all-time-leading-scorer Mike Penberthy, who went on to play for the Lakers.

“It’s pretty special,” Soares said of the record. “… It’s exciting for the program. Master’s is back on top where it should be.”