Master’s Counts to 20 Again

The Master’s College notched its fifth consecutive season with at least 20 victories in a big way Saturday night with a 106-63 victory over Christian Heritage in a nonconference game at Master’s.

Playing before a near-capacity and boisterous homecoming crowd, the Mustangs (20-4) didn’t trail on the way to their seventh consecutive victory and 13th in their last 14 games.

Christian Heritage (4-17) played Master’s close in a 73-61 defeat Jan. 28, but the Hawks were overwhelmed in the rematch.

Not only were they playing without Tony Lee, who had 18 points in the first contest, they were down to a seven-man roster. In addition, the Mustangs were well-rested after playing five games on the road.

“I think we were a lot fresher than the first time we played them and that made a big difference,” Master’s Coach Bill Oates said. “The first time we played them, we had been in Washington the previous week and we seemed to be a little tired.”

Doug Leaman, a senior guard who scored all 17 of his points in the first half, concurred with Oates.

“Last time, we might have concentrated a little too much on just getting a win and getting out of there,” he said. “But tonight, we wanted to win and start raising our game to another level.”

The Mustangs definitely reach their goal on offense, shooting 61.4% (43 of 70) from the field.

Leaman was seven of 11, while forward James Mosley, who scored 22 points, hit nine of 13 shots. Point guard Mike Penberthy, who had 18, made six of eight and center Leo Gorauskas, who added 14, sank seven of nine.

“Offensively, we ran the floor very well tonight,” said Oates, who has a record of 48-9 at Master’s. “But we can still improve in quite a few areas defensively.”

After trailing, 56-31, at halftime, Christian Heritage cut its deficit to 60-40 with 17 minutes 15 seconds left, but Master’s went on a 9-2 run to take a 69-42 lead with 14:51 remaining.

Penberthy started the run with a pair of free throws and Colin Lubsey capped it with a two-handed dunk.

Jeff Rose and Kelvin Starr each scored 19 points for the Hawks.

The Mustangs led by 25 points at halftime after going on a 22-8 run over the final 7 1/2 minutes of the first half.

Penberthy, who scored 11 points, started the surge with his third three-point basket and Mosley, who added 11, capped it with a breakaway dunk following a Christian Heritage turnover.

Master’s hit seven of 10 shots from the field during the run and 21 of 35 in the first 20-minute period.

Leaman, who entered the game averaging 11.2 points, hit seven of his first nine shots on his way to his 17 points.

Rose and Starr each had 10 points for the Hawks in the first half.