Ella Brubaker scored a team-high 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds as No. 18 The Master's University got their first road win of the season to stay perfect 85-73 over the Westcliff Warriors in Irvine, Calif. Saturday night.
Four players scored in double-figures for the Lady Mustangs, shooting 34-54 (63%) as a team and out-rebounding the Warriors 42-20, in the final game before GSAC play begins.
"I thought we responded really well on the fly today," said Head Coach Lisa Zamroz. "Our decision making continues to stunt opportunities to extend leads and allow teams back in the game. Despite that we're growing and learning how to play tough on the road."
A tight first quarter opened up for The Master's (3-0) when they scored the final six points of the frame to take a 27-18 lead. But Westcliff did likewise to close out the second quarter, wiping away an 11-point Lady Mustangs lead with a 12-4 run to go into the locker room with The Master's on top 39-36.
The third quarter belonged to the Lady Mustangs, once again gaining an 11-point lead that bumped up to 14 points with 6:45 to play in the fourth quarter. Good free throw shooting in the final minute by Marin Lenz, Belle Hernandez and Lexi Hernandez, preserved the lead and got The Master's the win.
"The calls weren't going our way in the last two minutes," Zamroz said. "And we showed good poise to knock down free throws and close out the game."
Lexi Hernandez finished second behind Brubaker with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Marin Lenz collected 17 points and Madeline Cooke added 10.
Conference play opens up this Thursday when the Spirit of OUAZ come to The MacArthur Center Thursday night for a 5:30 tip-off, followed by Arizona Christian on Saturday at noon.
"We look forward to the start of conference play next week," said Zamroz.
