By Tim Heiduk
February 22, 2020
 
(SANTA CLARITA, Calif.) The fourth-ranked Westmont men's basketball team had its attempt to clinch the outright Golden State Athletic Conference regular season championship put on hold by #16 The Master's, who defeated the Warriors 80-75 on Saturday night inside a raucous The MacArthur Center.
 
"It was a great college basketball game," Westmont head coach John Moore said. "I really loved the environment, loved how hard we played."
 
The Mustangs defeated the Warriors for the ninth straight time, dating back to the Warriors' last win in the series on Dec. 7, 2016. The Master's remains the only NAIA team to have defeated Westmont this season and the only squad to take down the Warriors in GSAC play.
 
"We went down by seven twice and we came back and tied the game," Moore said. "We just couldn't get over the hump."
 
Westmont looked to be on its way to finally getting over the hump by opening the game on an 8-0 run. The Warriors never trailed in the first half, but the Mustangs were able to hold Westmont's halftime lead to just two, 39-37.
 
Justin Bessard picked up two quick fouls in the opening period, prompting Tristan Lloyd to sub in off the bench and play 15 minutes in the first half. Lloyd responded with nine points in the opening period on three of five shooting, including two for three from 3-point range.
 
"Tristan did great," Moore said. "If you're not going to have JB, Tristan better play well and he did really well."
 
Noah Fernando, who has been starting in place of the injured Cade Roth, pitched in eight points of his own in the first half, including a perfect two for two from downtown. Abram Carrasco led Westmont with 11 points in the opening period.
 
The Mustangs took their first lead of the game at the 16:47 mark in the second half when Tim Soares hit a 3-pointer, but Carrasco answered right back with a triple of his own on the ensuing possession to restore the Warriors' advantage.
 
The Master's retook the lead, 53-46, with a 9-0 run, resulting in a Westmont timeout with 12:20 to play. Carrasco did his part to will the Warriors back, hitting a contested lefty floater off the glass and then a triple, before dishing to Bessard, who tied the game at 61-61 with a three.
 
Bessard responded to a 3-pointer by Jay Turley with another triple, tying the game once again.
 
The Mustangs restored their advantage to five and had a chance to extend it to seven with a pair of free throws, but they missed both. Carrasco once again brought the Warriors back, connecting on two free throws before hitting a three to tie the game.
 
With 38 seconds remaining, DJ Wilson hit a triple to give The Master's a 3-point advantage. Carrasco then got fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made two of three from the line to bring the Warriors within one.
 
Westmont was forced to foul and send The Master's to the free throw line, where Soares made both attempts of a one-and-one to put the Mustangs back up by three.
 
The Warriors elected to go for a two instead of a potential tying 3-pointer, but Carrasco's runner rimmed out, thwarting Westmont's comeback attempt.
 
It was the second heartbreaking loss the Warriors suffered to the Mustangs this year, after losing on a last second layup in Santa Barbara on Jan. 18.
 
"It's hard to lose close games," Moore said. "We've done a really nice job of winning close games, so we're used to that. The Master's played really well and we just didn't play quite as well as they did tonight. Sometimes it comes down to a game where the other team plays just a little bit better than you did, but I liked the way we played."
 
The Master's had six players score in double figures and outrebounded Westmont 48-31, including 14 to nine in offensive rebounds which translated to a 15-6 advantage in second chance points.
 
Westmont won the turnover battle, forcing the Mustangs to turn the ball over 14 times compared to the five turnovers committed by the Warriors, but the visitors only held a slim five to four advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Carrasco led all players with 28 points, while also leading the Warriors with six rebounds and five assists. Bessard and Lloyd each added 11 points, while Fernando scored 10.
 
Westmont still can clinch the outright GSAC regular season championship with a win in either of its final two games or a loss by #20 Menlo.
 
"We'll get by this," Moore said. "This team is very resilient. I like the way we've responded (to losses) in the past and I know we will respond well."
 
The Warriors host San Diego Christian on Thursday on Senior Night, when the team will honor Justin Bessard and captain Jordan Spaschak. The men will close out the GSAC regular season at Hope International on Saturday.
 
"I can't wait to celebrate Jordan Spaschak and Justin Bessard," Moore said. "That's what I'm going to focus on that night, so I'm looking forward to that."