Box Score The first official game of the season for The Master's men's basketball team did not go as they hoped as the Oklahoma City University Stars defeated the Mustangs 78-75 Thursday in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Stars hit their free throws down the stretch and led 78-73 with 11 seconds to play. The Stars allowed a quick dunk by
Ty Harper to cut the lead to three with four seconds left.
But a lot happens in four seconds.
The Mustangs stole the inbound pass, allowing Harper a shot as time expired to shoot a potentially game-tying 3-pointer.
But...
"Ty came off a screen from Kaleb (Lowery) and had a chance, but it hit the rim and they got the rebound," said Head Coach Kevin Starr. "It was a very tough, contested shot to make. But that was the game... a deflection here, a loose ball there, missing the front end of the one-and-one, those are the things that happened. And yet it was a one possession game at the end."
TMU was able to extend an early lead after Harper laid it in with 8:39 to play to give the Mustangs a 21-15 lead. But that's when the Stars responded, going on a 13-0 run in less than two minutes to grab the 28-21 lead.
The Mustangs struggled more with their shooting in the first half than the Stars, hitting 36% from the field compared to OCU's 47%, giving OCU a 40-31 lead at the half. But those shooting woes turned around for TMU in the second half with the Mustangs jumping up to 52% compared to OCU's 37%, bringing The Master's right back into the game.
With 7:31 to play, a Harper dunk tied the game at 60-60. But the Stars answered with a 3-pointer and hit a layup on their next possession to grab a five-point lead 65-60, which they rode the rest of the way for the win.
"Give Oklahoma City credit, they showed poise," Starr said. "It's just frustrating because we feel we can be really good right now, but we are underachieving."
Kamrin Oriol led The Master's with 22 points followed by Harper's 20.
Kaleb Lowery finished with 15 and a team-high five rebounds and two blocks.
The Master's will be back in action Friday in Oklahoma City as they will face Our Lady of the Lake University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT.
