Thomas Lowery helps keep Mustangs unbeaten entering GSAC play

Thomas Lowery has made a name for himself among the Mustang faithful for making hustle plays throughout his college career. That continued to be the case on Tuesday night against University of Antelope Valley, when Lowery converted a crucial 3-point play with under a minute remaining in regulation.
 
With the game tied 70-70, Lowery crashed the offensive boards with a putback, drew a foul and sank the subsequent free throw, giving TMU Men's Basketball a lead it would not relinquish. The 77-70 win over the visiting Pioneers kept the Mustangs unbeaten as they begin conference play this weekend.
 
"TJ Lowery was a huge spark for us on both ends of the floor," Master's Head Coach Kelvin Starr said. "The and-one was a big-time play at a crucial time in the game."
 
Lowery nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points and adding eight rebounds.
 
"I'm happy for him because he's grinded it out here for three years and he got to show off a little bit tonight," Starr said. "It was fun to watch him and see that happen. He was big time in helping us win the game."
 
He was one of five Mustangs to score in double figures on the evening, as he was joined by his younger brother Kaleb Lowery (16 points), Caden Starr (13 points, five rebounds, five assists), Jordan Starr (10 points, four rebounds, four assists) and Gavin DeJong (10 points, seven rebounds).
 
"The balanced scoring is what we need to win games," Kelvin Starr said. "If we can defend like we are, and get balanced scoring, we're going to be a hard team to beat."
 
A back-and-forth first half saw TMU trail at the half, 34-37. Master's took the lead briefly in the second half before Antelope Valley surged ahead and retook its advantage by as many as eight points with 10 minutes remaining.
 
The Mustangs then stormed back on a 7-0 run, helped by the Caden Starr to Kaleb Lowery connection, forcing the Pioneers to call a timeout.
 
"Caden connected with Kaleb a couple times for the 3 and the dunk," Kelvin Starr said. "Those guys have played together forever so they just know each other."
 
UAV maintained a narrow lead until 2:43 to play, when Kaleb Lowery tied the game with a layup. Davian Brown sunk two free throws to put the Mustangs back ahead, albeit momentarily, as the Pioneers tied the game after splitting a pair of free throws on separate trips to the line.
 
That set the stage for Thomas Lowery's heroics, with the older Lowery brother scoring five of the team's final seven points over the final minute of play that proved to be the difference in the game.
 
After trailing at the intermission, TMU outscored UAV by 10 points after halftime.
 
"We handled their pressure better in the second half," Kelvin Starr said. "We were able to break their press."
 
For the game, Master's held Antelope Valley to 35.3% shooting overall and 20.0% from 3-point range.
 
Master's, 4-0 overall on the season, begin Golden State Athletic Conference play on Saturday at Westmont College (6-0 overall) in a battle of unbeatens. First tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
"It's a whole different ball game. It's a rivalry," Kelvin Starr said. "Westmont will be ready; they always are."