Second-half comeback leads TMU Men's Basketball to eighth-straight win

The Master's University men's basketball team overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Bethesda University on Tuesday night inside The MacArthur Center, 82-69.
 
The Mustangs opened up the second half on a tear, scoring the first seven points after the break to draw level with the Flames. TMU limited Bethesda to just eight points in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to build a five-point advantage.
 
"Ryan (Beddeo) sparked us defensively to start the second half," Master's head coach Kelvin Starr said. "Everyone kind of fed off his efforts."
 
The Flames tied up the score at 59 apiece just a couple minutes later, but the Mustangs ran away with the game from there, winning by 13 to improve to 17-3 on the season and increase its winning streak to eight games.
 
TMU held Bethesda to just 23 points in the second half and only one made 3-pointer after the Flames caught fire in the first half, scoring 46 points and making 11 triples.
 
"The team really committed to getting stops," Starr said. "The extra effort was great and the energy the bench provided was also huge."
 
Davian Brown led the Mustangs with 22 points, shooting 10-10 from the free throw line. Ryan Beddeo tallied a career-highs of 16 points and five assists.
 
Kaleb Lowery recorded his sixth double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, six of which were offensive boards.
 
"Kaleb was big on the offensive glass," Starr said.
 
Starr also credited Thomas Lowery, who grabbed six rebounds in the win.
 
"I thought TJ Lowery stepped up and took advantage of the extra minutes he got tonight," Starr said. "He played super hard all night."
 
The Master's returns to Bross Court on Friday and Saturday to play a back-to-back against Arizona Christian, currently ranked fifth in the NAIA. Tip-off on Friday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The game will be live streamed at: GoMustangs.com/Watch.