Master's caps road swing with commanding win over OUAZ

For most teams, an extended string of games away from the friendly confines of its own gym presents a precarious situation. Seasons can take a turn for the worse in such situations.

Not for this Master's University women's basketball team. Not on this stretch.  

The No. 3-ranked Mustangs navigated a recent stretch of six consecutive games away from TMU without a single misstep, or close call for that matter, the final stage of the campaign coming Saturday in an 81-59 win over OUAZ in Surprise, Arizona. 

Stephanie Soares scored a game-high 20 points, hitting two three-pointers in a game for the first time in her career and adding nine rebounds and four blocks.  

Sabrina Thompson scored a season-high 13 points, all of them coming in the first three quarters when the Mustangs matched their point total from their previous game and built a 30-point lead. 

Master's (10-0, 2-0 in GSAC) has beaten OUAZ in each of the teams' three meetings since the Spirit (5-3, 0-2) joined the Golden State Athletic Conference before last season, and the Mustangs are off to their best start since 2012-2013. 

One game after the Mustangs shot a season-low 32% from the floor, leaning on their defense to take down Arizona Christian in their conference opener, Master's made a much more respectable 48% of its shots on Saturday. 

"We shot the ball better because we shared it really well and our shooters weren't hesitant to score," said Thompson, whose team dished out 21 assists. "Tristen (Coltom) especially shot it with a lot of confidence."

Coltom came off the bench and hit three 3-pointers without a miss in the second quarter, helping the Mustangs build a 40-27 lead at the break. To open the third, Soares knocked down the first of her two three-pointers. She had 16 points in the third as Master's outscored its host 26-9. 

"We played with great pace, got the ball where we wanted it and executed with better precision," said Master's head coach Dan Waldeck of the third period. 

Soares, TMU's 6-foot-6 All-American center, went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc last season, but the ability to be a threat from distance existed and she fine-tuned it over the offseason. She now feels confident there, and she has Waldeck's blessing. 

Soares hit her second three-pointer with 2:01 remaining in the third quarter to give Master's a 62-36 lead. She made 8-of-10 shots overall. 

Hannah Ostrom scored 11 points with five rebounds and four assists and Coltom ended up with 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from three. 

"She's been adjusting to a new role this season, and it was so fun to see her shoot it in like we all know she can," Waldeck said of Coltom. "She's such a hard worker and a great teammate. I think that's what makes our team tough. Different people are ready to step up in any given game."

The offensive outburst was complemented by another strong defensive showing. The Mustangs limited OUAZ to 30% from the floor. Master's has held all but one of its opponents this season below 40% from the field and they entered the day ranked second in the NAIA in field goal percentage defense. 

"We always talk about how the two things that travel are defense and rebounding," Ostrom said, "and by doing those two things it allows us to shoot with confidence and freedom to play offensively because we know we'll get stops and second shots."

The Mustangs will return home to face the University of St. Katherine on Thursday at 5 p.m.