Just Like Clockwork : Senior Forward Bruner Has Started Every Master’s Basketball Game in the Past 4 Years--124 in All

Neither bumps, bruises nor broken bones can keep Tom Bruner from his appointed place in The Master’s College basketball lineup.

Bruner, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, has started in 124 consecutive games, beginning with the first game of his collegiate career.

Like a blue-collar worker faithfully clocking in every day, Bruner makes it his responsibility to be there for the Mustangs (17-8, 8-1 in NAIA District 3 play).

“I just like to go out there and play for the guys and play as hard as a I can,” he said.

Precisely where Bruner falls on the iron-man list cannot be determined because the NAIA does not keep a record for consecutive starts.

Danny Manning holds the NCAA Division I record for most games participating in each of Kansas’ 147 games from 1984-1988.

But even Manning, who in his sophomore season made one appearance as a reserve, did not have as many consecutive starts.

Illness and injuries have threatened to end Bruner’s streak, but none have been serious enough to knock him out of the lineup.

There was, however, a close call this season.

In a game against Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 20, Bruner sustained a broken cheekbone and a concussion when he was struck by an opponent’s elbow in a scramble for the ball.

Bruner tried to ignore the pain and stayed in to score on a field goal and a free throw. But within minutes he became disoriented and asked to be taken out.

It wasn’t until after his arrival at nearby Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital that the extent of his injuries was determined.

In his absence, Bruner’s value in the lineup became apparent.

Leading Bakersfield, 31-28, at the half, the Mustangs stumbled without Bruner in the final 20 minutes and lost, 69-55.

“We lost a little momentum by losing our leader,” said Joe Jon Bryant, Master’s 6-7 center. “He is the one who picks the team up.”

Coach Mel Hankinson said every Mustang player and coach gathered at the hospital to check on their fallen teammate. “Those are the things that tell you about the type of leader that he is,” Hankinson said.

True to form, Bruner was in the starting lineup the next night against Cal State Dominguez Hills. But because of his injuries, he played only two minutes--long enough to keep the streak alive--and scored only one field goal. Bruner then took a seat on the bench and watched the Mustangs lose again, 52-51.

Bruner averages 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game but, most importantly, he provides the type of emotional strength that can band a team together. He has been team captain since his freshman season.

Although Jason Webster leads the Mustangs in scoring (16.7) and rebounding (5.6), Bruner was team leader in scoring the three previous seasons and his total of 1,852 points ranks fourth on the school’s career list. He has an outside chance of becoming only the third Mustang player to reach 2,000 points but would have to average almost 25 points in each of the remaining six games. With 814 rebounds, he ranks fourth on the Mustangs’ all-time list.

Bruner, Webster and three other current Mustangs were part of Hankinson’s touted freshman class of 1988.

Those recruits, secured by Hankinson after his first season as coach, were expected to turn around what had been a dismal program. In 1988-89, Master’s recorded its first .500 season (15-15) in 16 years.

Those freshmen now are seniors. In the meantime, Hankinson has added several junior college players and Bryant, a transfer from Division I Richmond.

The group has increased its win total each year--19 in ‘89-90, when the Mustangs advanced to the District 3 playoffs for the first time, and 22 last season. The trend was expected to continue this season.

Before this campaign, Master’s was 1-18 against Azusa Pacific, 6-42 against Biola, and 1-27 against Westmont. But the Mustangs have shown some of the traditional District 3 powerhouses that this season might provide a bit of redemption.

Master’s struggled to a 6-7 record at the outset but four of the losses were to NCAA Division II opponents. The Mustangs then embarked on an eight-game winning streak, which was finally ended Jan. 28 at Biola, ranked 11th in the NAIA.

Master’s has rolled over such perennial district bullies as Azusa Pacific, Southern California College and Fresno Pacific in their own gyms.

With the district title in reach, Master’s will look to Bruner for leadership in the toughest two games remaining on its schedule: at Westmont on Tuesday and at home against Biola on Feb. 25.

“Each team seems to develop a leader and Tom is that leader,” Hankinson said. “I’m not sure why certain people are gifted with charisma and intelligence and competitiveness. Tom is what you would call a natural-born leader.”

Bruner’s parents, who travel from Sanger (near Fresno) to see most of his games, have helped to foster Bruner’s love of basketball. Bruner has been known to spend hours after games analyzing his performance with his father, also named Tom, who coached him through junior high school.

Pamela, Bruner’s mother, occasionally also provides a critique.

Bruner recalls making only three of 11 free throws in one game, after which his mother admonished, “We’re not coming to any more games if you miss that many free throws.”

The comment was made in jest, but Bruner considers the end of his collegiate career no laughing matter.

Bruner would like to play professionally--perhaps in the Continental Basketball Assn. or abroad--but he knows he might well end up playing in recreational leagues when his days at Master’s are over.

As a starter, of course.