Lady Mustangs Win GSAC Opener in Overtime Thriller
Lady Mustangs Win GSAC Opener in Overtime Thriller
Nicole Chuang made a significant impact in the closing moments of regulation and during overtime, scoring 10 points to help The Master’s University women’s basketball team secure a thrilling 72-68 victory over Hope International on Saturday, Jan. 4, in Fullerton. TMU hit 28 of 80 shots from the field, which is 35 percent, but it struggled with its three-point shooting, making only eight of 29 attempts (28 percent). It narrowly won the rebounding contest with 53 boards compared to HIU’s 50, but it faced a slight disadvantage in turnovers, committing 16 to HIU’s 13.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this win,” expressed first-year TMU Head Coach Fonda Wilson. “We didn’t execute our game plan well in the first half. However, we regrouped and focused in the second half.”After trailing 37-29 at halftime, the Lady Mustangs (8-4, 1-0 GSAC) kicked off the third quarter with a 9-0 run, preventing the Royals from scoring until just 3:27. TMU outscored HIU 14-6 in that quarter, bringing the game to a tie at 43-43 as they entered the final quarter.The Mustangs started the fourth quarter strong, scoring the first six points and gaining momentum. Their defense was impressive, holding Hope International scoreless for the first 3:46 of the quarter.
After Lexi Hernandez hit a three-pointer to bring the score to 52-45 in favor of TMU with 5:32 remaining, the Royals’ defense tightened up, holding the Lady Mustangs scoreless for nearly 5:30 while going on a 9-0 run to take a 54-52 lead. That’s when Chuang took charge. She dribbled down the court, skillfully maneuvering past Hope International players, and made an unconventional jump shot from just inside the three-point line on the right wing, banking it in with just 2.2 seconds left, which sent the game into overtime. The reigning GSAC Freshman of the Year didn’t slow down, starting the overtime with a three-pointer from nearly the same spot, helping The Masters secure a four-point victory. Chuang scored eight points during the overtime, finishing with a team-high 17. She shot four for five in the final quarter and overtime, including two three-pointers, and was perfect from the free-throw line.
“When Nicole is in her zone, there is no stopping her,” Wilson remarked. “We needed that to carry on and finish strong.” Marin Lenz contributed 16 points, while Lexi Hernandez added 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double. Alli VanKooten also chipped in with 13 points and secured 10 rebounds for her second double-double. The Master’s women’s basketball team will return home on Wednesday, Jan. 8, facing No. 19 Arizona Christian, with the game set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. in The MacArthur Center.
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