The Master's University men's basketball team took control of the second half to take an 83-73 win over Corban University (OR) at The MacArthur Center in Santa Clarita, Calif. Friday evening.
The Mustangs (4-1) continued their hot start to the season with their offensive dominance and their suffocating defense over the Warriors, who were held to 21 of 54 (38.9%) in the field and 3 of 17 (17.6%) from 3-point range.Â
Meanwhile, the Mustangs were more accurate in their shots with 28 of 57 (49.1%) in the field and 9 of 18 (50%) outside the arc.
But the Mustangs began the game on their heels, having to fend off an aggressive and well prepared Warriors squad who ended the first half ahead 34-32.
"Corbin did a good job." TMU Head Coach Kelvin Starr said about the opponents. "They were well prepared, they did a good job scouting us and putting us on our heels. So credit to them, they did a really good job preparing for the game and their kids played super hard tonight."
But in the second half, the Mustangs dictated the game.
"At halftime we talked about just making a few adjustments on our offensive end and just challenging the play a little bit harder defensively." Coach Starr said. "I think we did a good job in the second half. We were a little sloppy towards the end but for the most part in the second half we played pretty well."
In the second half alone, the Mustangs made 17 of their field goals and three of their 3-pointers while the Warriors only made nine of their shots and failed to record a single 3-pointer.
Freshman guard Quincy Phillips was crucial in keeping the Mustangs close, leading the team with 23 points, making 8 of 11 from the field and hitting all four of the 3-pointers he attempted.
"Quincy was phenomenal tonight." Coach Starr said about Phillips. "As a freshman, to come in and do what he did under pressure and blow the game open… He did a bit of everything. So, for him to step up in his fifth college game and do that when we needed some help, it was pretty big time."
Senior guard Kendall Moore was close behind Phillips with 18 points, making six of the eight free throws he had while junior guard Jazen Guillory was right behind Moore with 15 points.
The Mustangs will play their third straight game in three days against the University of California Merced in The MacArthur Center on Saturday at 4 p.m, as they conclude The MacArthur Trust Classic.
"We just gotta be ready at the jump tomorrow. We weren't ready at the jump physically and we gotta be ready to go out of the gate." Coach Starr said.
