TMU holds Life Pacific to under 50 points in road victory

TMU Men's Basketball limited Life Pacific University to 32.7% shooting, as the Mustangs claimed a 71-49 Golden State Athletic Conference victory on Thursday night in San Dimas.
 
The performance marks the first time since Dec. 15, 2018 against Westcliff University that Master's has held its opposition to under 50 points in a game.
 
"Holding a good offensive team like LPU to under 50 on the road is a great effort," Master's Head Coach Kelvin Starr said. "The ball pressure from Ryan Beddeo, DJ Wilson, Jay Turley and Davian Brown was relentless."
 
After Jordan Starr's four first-half 3-pointers helped TMU take a six-point halftime lead, 33-27, Master's held Life Pacific to just 22 points in the second half, on 28.7% shooting and 0-for-11 from 3-point range.
 
The Warriors made it a one-possession game a few times toward the midway point of the second half, before the Mustangs pulled away, closing the game on a 17-3 run in the final five minutes to improve to 17-8 overall (7-8 GSAC) on the season.
 
"The margin on the boards was also a telling factor, with Jordan, Kaleb and both Gavin's cleaning it up," Kelvin Starr said of his team's 40-24 rebounding advantage.
 
Jordan Starr (seven rebounds) finished with 19 points to lead the Mustangs offensively, shooting five-for-six from behind the arc, while Gavin DeJong (16 points, eight rebounds) and Kaleb Lowery (12 points, seven rebounds) also scored in double figures.
 
"Jordan shot the ball really well tonight, helping us break it open early," Kelvin Starr said. "Gavin DeJong is playing at a really high level right now. His energy on both ends of the floor is contagious."
 
Master's returns to The MacArthur Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., when TMU takes on Vanguard University on Senior Night for the Mustangs.