TMU Basketball battles with APU to tip-off new season

Both Mustang basketball teams enter 2021-22 ranked in the top-25 of the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Both showed why with promising performances in exhibition matches against NCAA Division II Azusa Pacific University on Thursday night.
 
TMU Men's Basketball defeated APU in the nightcap, 66-58, after the Mustang women narrowly lost to the Cougars, 55-63. The Lady Stangs battled to within one point with about four minutes to play before the visitors pulled away late in the fourth quarter.
 
Kaleb Lowery led the Mustang men with 21 points, on 8-for-9 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds. Davian Brown (11 points) and Gavin Lloyd (10 points) also scored in double figures, while Jordan Starr (seven points) led Master's with four assists and three steals.
 
Head Coach Kelvin Starr was proud of his team's defensive effort and hustle. TMU held APU scoreless for almost the first seven minutes of the second half, while limiting the Cougars to 38.9% shooting for the game and 26.1% from behind the arc. Kelvin Starr also noted his team's unselfishness on offense, highlighted by a 13-8 advantage in assists.
 
The Master's women trailed by 12 at halftime, before outscoring the visitors by eight in the third quarter. A flurry of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter brought the Mustangs to within one before their comeback bid fell just short.
 
Giani Wimbish-Gay and Ella Brubaker both scored 15 points to pace TMU offensively. Rebekah Throns had a solid all-around game with seven points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Madeline Cooke added eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
 
After missing all of last season, 2019-20 NAIA Player of the Year Stephanie Soares made her return to the court, coming off the bench to tally seven points, three rebounds and three blocks in just 16 minutes.
 
TMU Women's Basketball will make its regular season debut on Saturday, with a 5 p.m. home game against Pomona-Pitzer. The Master's men will begin their regular season at home on Monday night against Bethesda University at 7 p.m.