The Master's University men's basketball season came to an end Tuesday night in the first round of the NAIA National Championship, losing to St. Thomas (FL) 84-61 in Lakeland, Fla.
The Mustangs (20-9) shot below their season average (46%), hitting 19-of-65 (29%) in the game while also committing 18 turnovers against just nine from the Bobcats. That led to a 24-4 points off turnovers advantage for St. Thomas.
STU also dominated the scoring in the paint, gaining a 42-14 difference.
"It's always hard to lose, especially at the end of the season," said Head Coach Kelvin Starr. "I wish we would have performed better on the national stage. I know in the last few weeks we have been trying to overcome missing 25 points a game with Jordan (Caruso) and Kamrin (Oriol) out, and it kind of showed today as we had trouble scoring. When you are having trouble scoring you have to be almost perfect defensively, and the game got away from us a little bit."
The Bobcats closed out what was a tight first half on a 9-2 run to take a 41-32 lead into the break. That grew through the second half with STU out-scoring TMU 43-29 in the second half.
The Master's shot just 9-of-38 (24%) in that second half, including 2-of-21 from 3-point range.
Kaleb Lowery, the GSAC Player of the Year, got into early foul trouble with his third personal called against him with 4:47 to play in the first half. That limited his time on the floor.
Caden Starr led the Mustangs with 21 points, getting 16 in the first half,
Christian Sweazie added 12,
Victor Ohia Obioha 11 and Lowery 10.
Jordan Starr had a team-high 10 rebounds and four of the nine assists.
For Ohia Obioha, Sweazie,
Jordan Starr and
Thomas Lowery, it was their final game as a collegian.
"Overall, the season was a great success with a special group of guys," Starr said. "We had some great relational things happen this year and great spiritual growth. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about."
Â
