TMU fights off fourth-quarter HIU comeback to win battle of unbeatens

No. 11 TMU Women's Basketball fought off a furious fourth-quarter comeback from Hope International to win a battle of unbeatens, 61-54, on Thursday evening inside The MacArthur Center.
 
"It was a big win for us tonight," Master's Head Coach Lisa Zamroz said. "They outworked us in the fourth, but thankfully we had built a big-enough buffer to withstand their late push."
 
That buffer began in the first quarter, with the Mustangs ending the opening period on an 8-0 run to take a 14-4 lead before holding a 13-point advantage going into halftime.
 
Master's extended its lead to 17 after three quarters and appeared to be cruising to a Golden State Athletic Conference victory before a late flurry from the Royals threatened an impressive comeback.
 
A pair of Katelyn Saulog free throws with 3:34 remaining gave TMU its largest lead of the game, 24 points. The visitors then closed the game on a 20-3 run to get to within single digits.
 
However, Master's still managed to hand Hope International (11-1 overall, 4-1 GSAC) its first loss of the season, in large part to its stout defense before the final few minutes.
 
"I was proud of our defensive effort," Zamroz said. "Hope has been shooting it well from three and we were able to hold them to 19% tonight. I thought we did a great job affecting their shots and then crashing the glass, limiting them to only one second-chance score."
 
Stephanie Soares recorded her 10th-straight double-double (13 points, 14 rebounds). Ella Brubaker tied Soares with 13 points, while Madeline Cooke pitched in 10 points of her own. Lexi Hernandez (nine points, seven rebounds) and Giani Wimbish-Gay (nine points) almost joined them in double figures.
 
Master's (10-0 overall, 4-0 GSAC) returns to conference play on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. home game against Life Pacific University.
 
"We are eager to continue working and getting better as we near Christmas break," Zamroz said.