THE MASTER'S NOTEBOOK: FRESHMEN PLAY LIKE VETERANS.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

JACKSON, Tenn. - Sally Glaze was as cool as the Arctic winters that regularly freeze her Alaskan hometown of Nikiski.

The freshman's first points in Thursday's NAIA National Tournament first-round game was an ice-water-in-her-veins 3-pointer from the corner. The shot ran a first-half lead to 13 points and was one of many contributions by four freshmen in a 64-40 victory over Pikeville (Ky.).

``I thought it was (off),'' said Glaze, who missed her first shot and committed a turnover as the first Mustang off the bench. ``I was like, `Man, I'm not having a good start.' But it went in. `OK. Get back on defense.' ''

Glaze went on to make another jump shot in helping the Mustangs to a 29-14 halftime lead. Jessica Seyler, the only freshman starter, had a solid 14 points and five rebounds. Guard Grace Tappe added six points and three steals, and center McKenzie Angangan two points and four rebounds. Combined, they contributed 28 points and 14 rebounds.

``They all stepped up so much,'' senior Lesley DuBois said. ``That's so great because they've never been here and experienced (a national tournament game).''

--Boomer Sooner: Science & Arts (Okla.), the Mustangs' opponent in today's 8:45 a.m. second-round game, doesn't carry the tradition of other teams in the Sooner Athletic Conference. Two other members, Oklahoma City and Southern Nazarene, played for last season's NAIA title.

``You look at OCU and SNU, and they've won eight of the last nine national championships,'' said Science & Arts coach Jay Niehues, rattling off his conference foes' storied history. ``SNU's been to 10 straight Final Fours. OCU's on a streak of four (consecutive titles).''

But the Drovers, who lost their four meetings with the conference's elite, proved they can play, too. Science & Arts made its NAIA tournament debut Wednesday with a 73-47 upset of Dillard (La.).

--Odds and ends: Although it forced 22 Pikeville turnovers, The Master's biggest defensive achievement was containing the Bears' two leading scorers. Amanda Collins (17.7 average) was held to 13 points and center Teccoa Gallion (18.4) managed just eight points on 3-of-13 shooting. ... Some of the loudest cheers The Master's received against Pikeville were from Golden State Athletic Conference rival Vanguard's players. The Lions beat Mobile (Ala.) in their first-round game Wednesday night. The Mustangs plan to stick around and root on Vanguard during its second-round game today.