The Master’s University men’s basketball team hit a minor setback Thursday evening by falling to GSAC-leading Hope International 82-72 on the road in Fullerton.

The loss moved No. 23 TMU’s record to 19-4 and 8-4 in conference play. In addition, the loss completed a 2-0 series sweep by the Royals as HIU beat TMU 88-56 on January 7 on Bross Court.

Currently, the Mustangs and the Warriors of Westmont College are tied for third-place in the GSAC’s standings. Both are a game behind second-place Biola University and a game-and-a-half behind the Royals.

Despite the double-digit loss (TMU’s second of the season), the Mustangs led the Royals for the majority of the first half. In fact, the Mustangs reached a game-high 12-point lead on two occasions, highlighted by freshman standout Timothy Soares driving in a layup at the 9:05 mark.

However, the Royals stormed back and forced a 39-39 tie entering the break. At halftime, TMU went 15-35 (42%) from the field, 3-13 (23%) on three-pointers, and 6-7 (85%) on free throws.

The two teams traded leads and tied the game on three separate occasions throughout the second half until the Royals got in a decisive rhythm at the 8:42 mark when HIU’s Donny Punter drained a long-range jumper, putting the home team up 58-56. Punter’s jumper was the spark that HIU’s high-scoring offense needed, as the Royals fended off any potential TMU comeback.

Reid Shackelford led all scorers by posting 27 points. Also finishing the evening in double figures was Hansel Atencia (11) and Soares (10). Lawrence Russell tallied nine points and a team-leading eight rebounds, while Delewis Johnson posted a team-high five assists.

As a team, the Mustangs went 26-76 (34%) from the field, 5-24 (21%) from the behind the arc, and 15-23 (65%) from the charity stripe.

“We ran into the best defensive team in the GSAC,” commented TMU head coach Kelvin Starr. “Give Hope credit as they played really hard for 40 minutes and made big shots. The big test for us is how we bounce back this Saturday.”

Looking to rebound from Thursday’s loss, the Mustangs now return to the Placerita Canyon for their final three home games of the season. On Saturday, the Mustangs will host Arizona Christian at 4:00 p.m. Next week, TMU will play William Jessup on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and then close out its home slate next Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. matinee against Menlo.