Poor Foul Shooting Costly to Master’s

Were it not for some foul shooting that was indeed foul shooting Saturday night, The Master’s College might have pulled out a win comparable to a Washington Generals’ victory over the Harlem Globetrotters.

Master’s built a four-point halftime lead and held a two-point edge with less than two minutes remaining but could not stave off Westmont College in a 59-55 NAIA District 3 loss at home before 850 spectators.

Westmont won for the 26th time in the schools’ 27 meetings, but a miserable 10-of-22 performance at the free-throw line did not help Master’s.

“I think if we make our foul shots, we certainly had plenty of opportunities to win,” Master’s Coach Mel Hankinson said.

Master’s (6-4) was nursing a 52-50 lead when Westmont’s Noel Matthews made a three-point basket. Teammate Peter Partain followed with a three-point play.

The Master’s Tom Bruner missed the front end of a one-and-one with 35 seconds left, but the Mustangs had a chance to tie with nine seconds left. However, Jason Webster’s short jump shot skittered off the rim.

Nonetheless, Hankinson was pleased with his team’s performance against Westmont (6-1), a perennial District 3 power.

“This program has come a light-year in just two years,” Hankinson said.

Master’s lost by 19 points to Westmont last season, but Hankinson has a player, guard Damon Greer, who he thinks could close the gap.

“I think Damon Greer would have certainly been worth three points,” Hankinson said. Greer, a transfer from San Jose State and a former Cleveland High star, will become eligible at the end of the semester on Dec. 18.

After learning that the final score was 59-55, however, Hankinson decided that “Damon would have been good for five points tonight.”

Bruner led Master’s with 18 points and Webster added 17 but struggled with his shooting, making only six of 16 from the field and four of nine free throws.

Matthews and forward Chris Hahs led Westmont with 16 and 14 points.