Master’s Virtually Clinches Playoff Berth With Victory

It was homecoming at The Master’s College on Saturday night and the top door prize was a shot at a berth in the NAIA District 3 playoffs.

A noisy, overflow crowd, estimated at 300 more than the gym’s 1,000-person capacity, saw the Mustangs virtually clinch their first playoff berth with an 84-64 win over defending district champion Biola.

And afterward, Master’s Coach Mel Hankinson was praising the fans as much as the players.

“I thought they played a big part,” Hankinson said of the crowd that began to fill the gym an hour and a half before game time. “This was a big win. We’re 99% sure of receiving the first bid in this school’s history, and I like those percentages.”

Before this season, Master’s (18-14, 10-6 in district play) had not beaten Biola since 1971 and had won only three of 43 games against the Eagles. But the Mustangs have won all three meetings this season.

“I think this team is peaking at the right time,” Hankinson said. “We’re really playing well.”

Somewhat hesitant in the early going, Master’s fell behind, 5-0, but quickly recovered and built a 38-28 halftime lead.

Master’s scored the first three baskets of the second half to build the lead to 16, but Biola (9-19, 6-8) put together an eight-point run to cut the margin to 61-56 with seven minutes remaining.

Jason Webster then hit a 17-foot jump shot, and reserve Stuart Epperson made six consecutive points to put Master’s in front, 69-56.

“I thought Stuart Epperson was one of the unsung heroes,” Hankinson said. “He turned the momentum back to us.”

Epperson’s outburst put the Eagles on the ropes, but the final blow came when Biola center Jeff Baker, who scored a game-high 23 points, suffered a nasty gash above the eye and left the game with 4:21 to play.

Master’s quickly pulled away and padded the final margin with dunks by Webster and Tom Bruner.

Webster led Master’s with 21 points and nine rebounds, Epperson and Bruner each scored 14 points and Damon Greer scored 10 points and had eight assists.

Jimmy Hill (18 points) was the only other Biola scorer to reach double figures.