It was the most anticipated match-up in Oklahoma City.
Maybe even the country.
No. 10 against No. 1.
And in the end, it was No. 1 that prevailed.
The No. 10 ranked The Master's University men's basketball team lost 71-64 to No. 1 Langston University Saturday at the Abe Lemon Classic in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Mustangs (2-1) out-scored the Lions in the second half 35-33, but it was the first 10 minutes of the game that saw TMU down by as much as 15. That led to a nine-point Langston lead at the half.Â
"It was a battle. [Langston is] very athletic and very talented," said TMU Head Coach Kelvin Starr. "But our guys now believe we belong in the national conversation. We showed we deserve the ranking that we have. We were good, but I think we can be a lot better."
TMU shot 12 of 24 (50%) from the field in that first half, but the Lions poured in 13 of 20 (65%), including 4 of 7 from behind the 3-point arc, to go up 38-29 after the first 20 minutes.
Langston was also better on the boards, out-rebounding the Mustangs 12-8 in the first half. But adjustments gave The Master's the edge in the second half as they pulled down 19 rebounds to the Lions' 14.
TMU also had the advantage with points in the paint, out-scoring the No. 1 team in the country 24-20. For the game, The Master's finished 22 of 49 (45%) from the field, but just 5 of 21 from 3-point range..
Kaleb Lowery led the Mustangs with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Deondre Earley finished with 12 and
Kendall Moore added 10.
Deaken Stangl had a pair of blocks to go with his nine points scored.
"Tiago [Soares] defensively was phenomenal," Starr said. "But overall, it was a collective effort today. We have a  pretty unselfish group. It may very well be a different guy leading us every game this year."
The Master's will come back to the friendly confines of The MacArthur Center for a 5-game homestand beginning with a Thursday night game against Loyola University (LA). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
