Mustangs race past Warriors

The Nelson Warriors' Men's Basketball team (5-3) dropped their second straight contest on their brief California road trip, falling 106-89 to a sharp-shooting Master's University Mustangs squad that refused to let their Nelson nemesis back in after seizing early control.

"This is a difficult stretch that we are going to have to learn from," noted head coach Kole Ebert following the game. "We're the reigning national champions and our opponents are always going to give their absolute best each time they come out against us. We have to learn how to withstand those attacks, stay within ourselves and our game plan, and execute to the best of our ability, especially on the defensive end."

Hoping to rebound from their loss on Monday night, the Warriors jumped ahead to an early 11-8 following a Terrin Ross (20p/7r) triple, his then-ninth on the season. But as if unleashed from the stable, the Mustangs answered back quickly with a swift 9-0 spurt just six minutes in to claim a lead they would never surrender. The Master's men continued to steadily build the margin to as many as eight by halftime, coolly repelling every Warrior push and carrying a comfortable cushion into the break.

Forever fighting with a sound Warrior spirit, Nelson came out of the halftime locker room swinging, ripping off their own 9-0 run to slice the deficit back down to a single point and ignite hopes of a comeback. But Master's responded in kind, quickly rebuilding a double-digit edge, then stringing together a number of small bursts which the Warriors were unable to rebut, ballooning the lead to as many as 25 points, putting the game away down the stretch.

Newcomer Keron Bailey refused to wave the white flag, delivering a heroic 9-point flurry in the final 49 seconds, first attacking the defense for a layup, before burying an off-balance three, then capped the Tracy McGrady-like run with a four-point play after getting fouled on a made triple with under two seconds left, calmly sinking the bonus shot for good measure.

Despite Bailey's late fireworks, finishing the game with a team-highs 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks, all off the bench, Nelson couldn't slow their opponent's offensive onslaught for the second consecutive game, as the Mustangs torched the nets at 54.3% from the field and 40.0% (12-of-30) from deep while the Warriors shot a respectable but insufficient 46.3% and struggled with ball security, coughing up 16 turnovers that led to 22 Master's points.

Wyatt Mackay, finished with 13 points, while Zoe Holman and Calvin Windley each recorded 12 points, along with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds, 3 assists, respectively. All seven Warriors who say court-time scored.

Quincy Phillips for the Mustangs led all scorers with 30 points.

Nelson will receive a well needed rest following the quick California trip, returning home on Monday, November 24 for a 7pm tilt against the California Intercontinental University.

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