DeJong's monster night leads TMU to GSAC win over Menlo

Menlo had no answer for Gavin DeJong in the low post, as the senior center dominated the Oaks in a 69-64 Golden State Athletic Conference victory for TMU Men's Basketball on Thursday night inside The MacArthur Center.
 
"It was great to see Gavin show what he is capable of," Master's Head Coach Kelvin Starr said. "He was a monster tonight."
 
DeJong finished with a career-high 28 points, to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks, all of which were game-highs.
 
With the Mustangs trailing 6-0 early on, DeJong scored the first two TMU buckets to get the home side on the board.
 
Jordan Starr then hit a transition 3-pointer to cap off a 7-0 run and give Master's its first lead of the game. Menlo briefly regained its advantage before consecutive DeJong layups restored TMU's lead.
 
An Oaks triple gave the visitors their final advantage of the game, prior to a highlight-reel dunk from Kaleb Lowery over an opposing defender tying the game at 13-13.
 
A DJ Wilson 3-pointer and jumper, along with a Caden Starr layup and Jaden Graham fastbreak dunk were part of a 9-0 Mustang run that allowed Master's to gain control of the contest.
 
Thomas Lowery's 3-point play then helped TMU develop a double-digit advantage with just over a minute remaining in the opening half, before the Mustangs' lead was extended to 13 going into the break.
 
DeJong continued TMU's momentum into the second half, scoring the first six points for Master's after halftime. A second triple from Jordan Starr and a Davian Brown free throw gave the Mustangs their largest lead of the game, 18 points, with 17 minutes to play.
 
The Oaks slowly chipped away at TMU's advantage as the second half progressed, getting to within three with 1:38 remaining.
 
Menlo then held the ball with a chance to tie the game with under 40 seconds left in regulation, but Ryan Beddeo (eight points) drew an offensive foul on the Oaks to give the Mustangs the ball back.

"Ryan was elite defensively all night on their best player," Kelvin Starr said.
 
Caden Starr and Beddeo then each sank a free throw apiece, as Master's held on to win its sixth-straight game and get to .500 in GSAC play.
 
DeJong was the only Mustang to score in double figures, but Jordan Starr (six points, eight assists, five rebounds) and Caden Starr (eight points, seven assists, five rebounds) got all their teammates involved in the offense, with nine different players scoring for TMU.
 
"Jordan and Caden combining for 15 assists was huge," Kelvin Starr said.
 
Master's (12-3 overall, 3-3 GSAC) will put its winning streak on the line against No. 8 William Jessup University on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside The MacArthur Center.