In the aftermath of his 100th win as Master's head coach, Kelvin Starr wanted to talk about a different milestone and the players and fans who have contributed to it.
The No. 7-ranked Mustangs beat Vanguard University, 80-76, inside the MacArthur Center on Thursday night, extending their home winning streak to a staggering 47 games.
"We've had lot of good players. I think our crowd is a big reason, too. Our facility makes it loud," Starr said, citing factors that have fueled a winning streak now more than three years old. "It's very rowdy in here. The environment is pretty special."
Starr's players, however, were more than happy to discuss what he's meant to a program that's gone 100-16 since Starr arrived before the 2017-18 season. The Mustangs have won three straight Golden State Athletic Conference tournament titles during that span and established themselves as regulars near the top of the NAIA Division 1 rankings.
"This has been the most enjoyable and fun three years of basketball that I've ever had," said Brock Gardner, who finished with 20 points and eight rebounds Thursday. "I've never had this much freedom and love for the game. I think coach Starr has been a big part of bringing that out and helping me to enjoy playing."
Darryl McDowell-White also scored 20 points for Master's, which remained one game back of first-place Westmont in GSAC standings despite missing 17 free throws and shooting just 41% from the field. The Mustangs made up for it on defense. TMU held Vanguard to 36% shooting and forced 20 turnovers.
TMU's Tim Soares was limited to eight minutes in the first half because of two early fouls. But the senior center found his form in the second half and finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. He said two of Starr's best qualities as a coach are his ability to recruit and to motivate.
"One of his strengths is making sure everybody plays to the best of their abilities," Soares said.
Gardner echoed his teammate.
"In practice or games if we're not completely ready, coach knows exactly what to say to get us fired up," Gardner said. "He's also very relational and you know he really cares about you."
The Mustangs led 26-20 at the break Thursday after holding Vanguard to 21% from the floor but only shooting 33% (9-of-27) themselves. TMU turned it over 10 times.
Starr said what disappointed him most about the first half was that Master's didn't provide its fans with the level of play they deserved.
TMU improved after the break, building a 16-point lead with a little over five minutes remaining. But Vanguard responded with a 19-5 run over the next three-plus minutes, and when Isaiah Gentry hit a 3-pointer with 1:26 remaining, the Lions trailed by two.
Soares made one of two free throws on TMU's next possession, but Gardner soared in and grabbed the rebound before getting fouled.
Gardner made two free throws, and the Mustangs went 9-for-12 from the line in the final 53 seconds to hold on for their sixth win in their last seven meetings with Vanguard (10-10, 3-5).
Overall, free throws hampered TMU's ability to put the game away earlier. Master's made only 31 of 48 tries in all. The teams were called for a combined 58 fouls, a development that limited the game's flow. Still, the Mustangs found a way.
"Our team was resilient in the end," Soares said. "Even though we didn't do what we wanted to do, we got the job done."
Jordan Starr added nine points and six assists, making two crucial 3-pointers in the second half. McDowell-White made 8-of-13 shots. At one point, he banked in a 3-pointer from deep in the corner near TMU's bench, was fouled, and turned it into a four-point play.
