For the second time in two weeks, the No. 13 Lady Mustangs (8-0) squared off against the Warriors of William Jessup University (5-8). Saturday’s evening produced similar results for TMC as the Mustangs took WJU with 82-73 victory.
The Lady Mustangs started with an evening-high 17 point lead before the Warriors mustered an offensive comeback fueled by two three-pointers and a pair of field goals from Ashley Rose. TMC narrowly led the Warriors at the half with a 36-29 lead.
Despite shooting 45 percent from the field in the first stanza, the Lady Mustangs only led by seven points at intermission. Zoe Scott (Spokane, WA) led the Mustangs in the first half with a pair of three-pointers, a field goal, and three free thows.
Jacquelyn Marshall (San Clemente, CA) posted a jumper just 11 seconds into the second stanza extending the Mustangs lead to 38-29. After a three-pointer from Ashley Rose, TMC answered back with a 12-2 run that produced a 16-point lead (50-34).
But the evening was far from over as the Warriors rallied back with a 28-12 run that eventually tied things at 62-62. Sarah Peterson chipped in 10 points on the Warriors explosive rally, followed by nine from teammate Taylor Borba.
The Warriors saw their first lead of the evening as a free throw from Peterson put WJU up 63-62. A free throw from Millie Rivera (Allen, TX) tied things at 63-63, but a free throw WJU’s Ashley Rose put the Warriors up one last time at 64-63. The Warriors’ lead was short-lived as jumper from Lena Rivera (Allen, TX) put the Mustangs up 65-64.
With eight minutes left on the clock, the Lady Mustangs produced one last surge consisting of a 17-8 run. Marshall produced six points for the Mustangs which was more than enough as the evening concluded with a final score of 82-73.
“We found a way to win,” commented Mustang Coach Dan Waldeck. “We didn’t guard the way we needed to while they [William Jesssup] made some really tough shots. I’m proud of our resilience, but it’s time for us to move on and look to Monday.”
Jacquelyn Marshall led the way for TMC, scoring a team-high 22 points while notching four rebounds. Lena Rivera and Zoe Scott both posted 13 points, while Theresa Brown (Eugene, OR) lead with nine rebounds. Whitney Best (Snohomish, WA ) dished out a team-best six assists. Collectively, TMC finished the night by shooting 50% from the field.
Coach Waldeck and the undefeated Lady Mustangs return to Bross Gym on Monday, as TMC hosts Great Falls (MT) in a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Lady Mustangs Repeat Over William Jessup