Despite a career game from
Laney Grider and another 20-plus game for Belle Hernandez, The Master's women's basketball team lost a tight game to Arizona Christian 79-72 Saturday in Glendale, Ariz.
Grider scored a career-high 19 points on 7 of 13 shooting while Hernandez followed up her 22-point game Thursday against OUAZ with 23 points Saturday against the Firestorm.
"We didn't have enough players come ready to play," said TMU Head Coach Lisa Zamroz. "We knew going in this has been a gym we struggle in and didn't come with enough energy to overcome that. I thought Laney and Belle did a great job keeping us in it."
The Lady Mustangs (14-3, 2-2 GSAC) shot better than ACU from the field (42% vs. 38%) and had one better from 3-point range (nine vs. eight), but the Firestorm went to the free throw line 33 times against just 13 for TMU. That resulted in a 20-point swing in favor of Arizona Christian.
The Firestorm was also led by their All-American guard Alyssa Alvarez, who finished with 31 points. She alone hit 16 of 17 from the line.
"Alvarez got hot and we weren't able to contain her without fouling or leaving her open for three," Zamroz said. "It's a bit of a gut check time for us to determine if we really want to be competitive in this league with the effort and determination it will take for each game."
Nicole Chuang added 14 points in the game, while Maddie Cooke led the team with 11 rebounds and four more blocks.
The Master's will be back home on Thursday to play a non-conference game against Lincoln University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
