Mustangs don't miss a beat following return from Christmas break

A disjointed return from Christmas break didn't slow down TMU Women's Basketball on Thursday afternoon, as the Mustangs ran away from Northern New Mexico College for an 80-39 victory inside The MacArthur Center.
 
"It's been a disjointed week for us coming back from Christmas break," Master's Head Coach Lisa Zamroz said. "Today is the first day we've had our full roster back together. A winter storm in Washington delayed six of our players from retuning to practice as scheduled this week.
 
"It always takes an adjustment period coming back after time off. Our turnaround time ended up being quite short."
 
After leading 19-12 following the first quarter, Master's kicked into another gear on both ends of the floor. TMU outscored the visitors by 13 in the second quarter to take a 20-point lead into halftime.
 
"I thought we got better as the game progressed," Zamroz said. "Our first quarter was sloppy but I thought we ended the half well."
 
In the third quarter, a 26-8 Mustang margin in the third period helped Master's lead by as many as 41. Then in the fourth quarter alone, Jayla Julmist posted eight points and eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, in just seven minutes played.
 
The fourth quarter also brought the return of Tristen Gardner (Coltom), who made her first appearance this season after coming back to Master's to play her final season of eligibility that was granted following the shortened 2021-22 season. Gardner made one 3-pointer while adding one rebound and one assist in seven minutes of action.
 
"We're excited to welcome back Tristen Gardner this semester," Zamroz said. "She brings great additional leadership and depth to our team."
 
Stephanie Soares (17 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, four steals) recorded her 14th-straight double-double, while Ella Brubaker (15 points) and Giani Wimbish-Gay (10 points, five assists, four steals) joined her in double figures.
 
The Mustangs didn't allow Northern New Mexico to make a single 3-point field goal, while holding the Eagles to 27.4% shooting. TMU held significant advantages in points in the paint (52-24), points off turnovers (26-8) and second-chance points (27-5).
 
Master's (14-0 overall) returns to The MacArthur Center on Friday at 1 p.m. to take on University of Northwestern (Minn.), looking to become the third-ever Mustang team in program history to remain undefeated at the turn of the calendar year.
 
The 2012-13 squad finished 2012 11-0 as part of its 17-0 start to the season. Then in 2019-20, TMU had an even better start to the season, finishing the 2019 portion of its schedule 15-0 on its way to the program's best-ever start to a campaign at 19-0.
 
"It's a fun and unique time to be on campus during break with your team before spring academics begin," Zamroz said. "We're enjoying the time together and excited for the challenge this semester will bring. Everyone contributed tonight for a great start to the second half of the season."