Before Thursday night's game, Master's head coach
Dan Waldeck challenged his club to perform at its absolute best from beginning to end.
It'd be hard to argue the Mustangs didn't answer the bell.
Fueled by
Brooke Bailey's career-high seven three-pointers and
Stephanie Soares' second triple-double of the month, the No. 3-ranked Mustangs rolled to a 99-44 win over the University of Saint Katherine, improving TMU's record to 11-0 and pleasing its head coach.
"I'm extremely proud of their focus and togetherness tonight," Waldeck said.
Bailey finished with a game-high 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc.
"My shot felt good," said the senior guard. "My teammates were really encouraging, telling me to keep shooting it."
Soares, the reigning NAIA Division 1 Player of the Week, recorded 21 points, a season-high 20 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots. Her 12 blocks tied a TMU game record she established against the University of Antelope Valley on December 2, the night she posted the first triple-double of her career.
Soares received plenty of help Thursday, as
Hannah Ostrom added 14 points and eight rebounds and
Rebekah Throns had 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Mustangs led 56-22 at halftime.
Bailey's long-distance acumen produced 12 first-quarter points on 4-of-4 shooting from deep. Soares added eight more points, and Ostrom chipped in with six points as the threesome combined to go 11-of-15 from the field.
The Mustangs totaled a season-high 24 assists.
"We shared the ball so selflessly and played the full 40," Waldeck said, "Everyone had a committed focus to be their best tonight and it showed. To have 20 assists from our starters speaks volumes."
The Mustangs also pulled down a season-best 68 rebounds and junior
Jessica Soares had a season-high 13 of them.
Having played the first of six straight games at home, the Mustangs will welcome San Diego Christian on Saturday in a GSAC matchup that starts at 5:30 p.m.
"On to the next as we prepare for San Diego," said Waldeck. "Looking for a similar focus."
