Men's basketball falls to Menlo in dramatic fashion

The Mustangs are in unfamiliar territory.

For more than three years, the MacArthur Center had been a safe space for The Master's University men's basketball team. But after having its 47-game home winning streak snapped last week, the Mustangs have now dropped three straight inside their building, the latest coming in heart-rending fashion Thursday to Menlo College, 80-79.

"We have to do all the little things better," said head coach Kelvin Starr, "and if we don't start doing them, we're not going to make it back to Kansas City."

Tim Soares scored 27 points to lead the Mustangs, who have made it to NAIA nationals in Missouri each of the last three years but who dropped to fifth place in Golden State Athletic Conference standings Thursday. Arizona Christian and William Jessup are tied for third place, one game ahead of No. 12 Master's (17-6, 7-5 GSAC). William Jessup will visit TMU on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Brock Gardner scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half to help Master's cut into a deficit that had grown to 13 with 6:50 remaining. The senior forward plowed his way into the paint, finished at the rim and stepped outside for a three-pointer, displaying the skills that have made him a strong NAIA All-American candidate. His personal 10-0 run brought TMU within three with 4:26 remaining.

Gardner made a pair of free throws with 34 seconds left to close the gap to one point. And, with the score still 80-79, he was fouled on a long jump-shot attempt as time expired. Gardner, TMU's best free throw shooter, stepped to the line with a chance to win the game with the clock at zeros.

Instead, he missed both shots, a punch to the gut he still felt after changing and leaving the locker room. But he remained poised and determined to help his team focus on what lies ahead.

"That's one of the big reasons you play basketball, for a moment like that," Gardner said. "That's where the pain comes from. You wait for a moment to come along and you have a chance to win the game, but not only do you not win the game, you don't even tie the game. It stings, but you have to keep your head up.

"I was a little emotional afterward, but at the same time I don't want my guys to see me down. I have to keep my head up because we still have five big games coming up."

After losing to OUAZ and Menlo (15-6, 9-3) by a combined three points in a span of seven days, and dropping another game to Arizona Christian, the Mustangs find themselves with their backs against the wall. Gardner is confident his group will respond.

"We're big competitors and when you lose, you don't just back down, it makes you want to fight harder," he said. "I think that's what the guys are going to do."

The Mustangs went into halftime down 43-41 largely because of the hot shooting of Ross Williams. The Menlo guard made five of the seven three-pointers he attempted in the half and finished the game with 21 points. Teammate Jeremiah Testa, one of the hottest shooters in the country entering the evening, got going in the second half and finished with 15 points.

Menlo made 11-of-28 three-pointers in all, a small victory for Master's after the Oaks had made at least 15 threes on better than 50% shooting in each of their previous four games.

TMU's bench kept the Mustangs within striking distance in the first half, with Sam Boone and DJ Wilson combining for 17 points.

Soares made his mark on the game in the paint and from distance. The 6-foot-11 center made a pair of threes in the first half, and at one point he faked a handoff, rolled into the paint and flushed a powerful one-handed dunk. He made 9-of-13 shots overall but fouled out with nearly seven minutes remaining.  

Gardner carried Master's from there, making 5-of-6 shots and 8-of-11 free throws after the break.  

"I thought we needed a spark," Gardner said, "and I thought that was the way to do it. Getting downhill had been our strength all game."

The Mustangs went ahead by six early in the second half, but Menlo answered with a 31-12 run to build a 13-point advantage. TMU almost clawed all the way back.

"We need to start playing full halves," Soares said. "Right now we are just playing in spurts. Once we can start doing that, it will give us more of a cushion for close games."