Mustangs win home opener

Ty Harper scored a career-high 30 points and Jordan Caruso had his first triple-double as No. 20-ranked The Master's defeated No. 21 University of Antelope Valley 98-80 Wednesday night in The MacArthur Center.

The Mustangs (2-1) built a lead of 20 points twice in the second half, shooting nearly 50% from the field to close it out. 

"I think our offensive output was above average for us," said TMU Head Coach Kelvin Starr. "Defensively we have room to grow. But any win against a good team like Antelope Valley is good to get."

The defense did hold UAV to 24-of-62 from the field (38.7%), and 9-of-24 (37.5%) from 3-point range.

"Our goal for the year is to hold the other team to under 40% from the field, and we did that tonight," Starr said.

Caruso scored 16 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and dished 10 assists to grab the first triple-double of his career. The senior from New York City, who was All-GSAC last year but had his season cut short due to injury, is averaging over 10 points a game and nearly 10 rebounds.

"He's starting to get his legs back and he's looking like the Caruso of last year," Starr said. "He's really bought into being a leader of our team. He's running the offense and really playing selfless."

Harper scored 18 of his 30 points in the second half, hitting 7-of-9 shots in the final 20 minutes, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. For the game, the junior transfer from Eastern Washington, shot 60% from the field and 50% from three.

"He's a very gifted player who's starting to figure it out," Starr said. "And he's doing it as a team guy in the flow of the game, which is impressive."

TMU had a slight advantage in rebounding (47-45), but it was the fouls that kept sending the Pioneers to the free throw line. The Mustangs were whistled for 33 fouls, compared to UAV's 18, which sent the Pioneers to the line for 40 shots, though they only made 23 (57%).

Because of those fouls, Kaleb Lowery, Tiago Soares and Caden Starr each fouled out of the game.

The Mustangs were able to get production from their bench, which generated 21 points, led by Jaren Nafarrete with seven points and Soares with a pair of 3's.

"We got some good scoring off the bench," said Starr. "Jaren and Tiago gave us a good spark. It's always good to get scoring from those guys."

The Master's will get one day of practice before they host Lincoln University Friday for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Oaklanders are coached by former NBA great Gary Payton.