Master’s Reaches NCCAA Title Game With 88-71 Win

The Master’s College is on track for the National Christian College Athletic Assn. basketball championship.

Master’s rolled past Tennessee Temple, 88-71, Friday night in a semifinal game to set up a showdown today with John Brown University at Bradley Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Tenn.

John Brown upset top-seeded Malone (Ohio) University.

Second-seeded Master’s (22-11) set a school record for victories in a season and was barely threatened after taking a 17-2 lead in the first 7 1/2 minutes. Jason Webster scored seven of his team-high 18 points during the early getaway.

Webster made seven of 13 field-goal attempts, including both of his three-point shots, and had five rebounds. Master’s shot 57% from the field.

“Our offensive execution is the best it’s been all season,” Master’s Coach Mel Hankinson said. “We’re getting great shots, plus our big guys are hitting the boards and getting easy put-backs.”

Master’s outrebounded Tennessee Temple, 45-34. Tennessee Temple struggled with its shooting, making only 30% of its field-goal attempts and 19% of its three-point attempts.

“The primary emphasis of our game plan was to stop Temple’s penetration,” Hankinson said. “We contained them early, got some steals, and really got our running game going.”

Tom Bruner and David Moore complemented Webster with 12 points each. Bruner and Moore each grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

Master’s led, 41-31, at halftime. Tennessee Temple (18-14) pulled within 43-35 early in the second half, but Master’s quickly pushed the lead back to 14 and did not lead by less than 11 thereafter.

Master’s is making its first appearance in the tournament.