Fourth-ranked TMU Women's Basketball knew it had a chance to make history on Saturday night with a win over No. 20 Vanguard University. Master's didn't waste its opportunity.
The Mustangs raced out of the gate to take a double-digit lead after the first quarter, as Master's defeated Vanguard, 76-54, to set a program record for best-ever start to a season at 20-0 overall (9-0 GSAC).
This year's team breaks the previous mark set in 2019-20, when the Mustangs began the year 19-0 and rose to the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA. Master's Head Coach
Lisa Zamroz, in her first season at the helm, was an assistant coach on that 2019-20 team.
On Saturday,
Stephanie Soares scored the first seven points of the game, helping TMU take a 19-7 advantage after the first quarter.
The Lions then outscored the Mustangs by three in the second quarter to cut TMU's halftime lead to single digits, but Master's started the second half in similar fashion to how it did the first.
Vanguard had no answer for Soares, who scored 15 points in the third quarter, helping the Mustangs outscore the Lions by 12 in the period to take a sizable lead into the fourth.
From there TMU didn't let Vanguard get closer than 16 while stretching its lead to as many as 27, putting another signature win on its resume.
Soares led all players with 27 points on a perfect 12-for-12 from the field, to go along with seven rebounds.
Ella Brubaker joined her in double figures with 14, as did
Lexi Hernandez with 11 off the bench.
Rebekah Throns played a solid all-around game with her seven points, six rebounds and six assists.
With the program record for best-ever start to a season secured, Master's will now look to match the program's longest winning streak in a season (24) that was set by the 2000-01 squad.
TMU is next scheduled to host Arizona Christian University on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before welcoming Ottawa University Arizona on Saturday at noon.
