The closing moments on Friday night told the story of a season opener The Master's University women's basketball team thoroughly controlled.
At one end, Master's center Jessica Soares stretched her 6-foot-3 frame toward the ceiling and blocked a shot without leaving the ground.
Then Soares pitched the ball ahead to Olivia Prettyman, who challenged a backpedaling defender before passing to teammate Ella Brubaker.
Brubaker finished the fast break with a layup, the final points in a 78-22 win over Bethesda University inside Warrior Arena in Rocklin, Calif.
It was the kind of defensive effort fans have come to expect in recent years from the No. 5-ranked Mustangs. TMU forced 36 turnovers, blocked five shots, and held Bethesda to 23% shooting.
Then there was Brubaker, who finished with a game-high 21 points in her collegiate debut. The freshman from University Place, Wash., was 8-for-15 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers.
"I was so glad to finally get out there with my teammates and have fun together," Brubaker said. "I was a little nervous but mostly excited to play."
Brubaker said her nerves subsided after she checked into the game for the first time and heard her teammates cheering from the bench.
She received plenty of support.
Rebekah Throns scored 16 points, with five assists and four rebounds. Anika Neuman added 12 points and seven rebounds, and Tristen Coltom chipped in nine points.
In a promising all-around debut, freshman Liv Tjoelker had nine points, six rebounds and five assists. And Jessica Soares added five points and six rebounds for the Mustangs, who led 43-9 at halftime in the team's first game since the 2019-2020 season suddenly shut down due to the coronavirus in March.
"After a long break, it was good to get out and play a real game," said Master's head coach Dan Waldeck. "Our effort, enthusiasm and intangibles were a solid 'B,' but we definitely have a ways to go to earn the grade we expect of ourselves. Playing a different system with lots of new pieces makes for some growing pains, but I'm confident that each time out we will improve immensely."
Friday's game was closed to fans. That will also be the case for TMU's home opener on Nov. 7, when Park University Gilbert visits the MacArthur Center for a 1 p.m. tip-off. The game will be live streamed at GoMustangs.com/watch.
