THE MASTER'S PLAN: EARLY SETBACKS TURN INTO MOTIVATION.Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - The Master's College History The Master's College was founded as Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary on May 25, 1927 to meet the need for a fundamental Baptist school on the West Coast. had just lost to host Fresno Pacific on a free throw with no time remaining in its second game of the season, and coach Ken Sugarman was floored by what he saw in the Mustangs' locker room. ``When we lost that game and every kid in that locker room was crying, I knew we were going to have a good year,'' Sugarman said. ``If we wouldn't have cared after that game, then I would have started thinking about (a tough season).'' The Mustangs lost again two games later, 82-78 at Azusa Pacific. But they haven't lost since and take a 24-game winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" into tonight's 8:15 p.m. NAIA NAIA abbr. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes National Tournament opener against Dillard University Dillard University is a private, faith-based liberal arts college in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its address is 2601 Gentilly Blvd, 70122. Founded in 1869 and historically African-American, it is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. (La.) in Jackson, Tenn. The Mustangs are seeded fourth in the 32-team tournament. But in Fresno and Azusa back in November, The Master's was wondering if it could right itself after two difficult defeats. ``It was like we lost the national championship,' ' Sugarman said of the Fresno Pacific reaction. ``The kids are hungry enough, they want it bad enough.'' Sugarman wasn't sure just how famished fam·ish v. fam·ished, fam·ish·ing, fam·ish·es v.tr. 1. To cause to endure severe hunger. 2. To cause to starve to death. v.intr. 1. his team was going to be, but he soon found out. The Mustangs dominated their competition, winning by double-digit margins in 23 of 26 regular-season victories. In its biggest test of the year, The Master's beat No. 1 Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (1990 pop. 444,719), state capital, and seat of Oklahoma co., central Okla., on the North Canadian River; inc. 1890. The state's largest city, it is an important livestock market, a wholesale, distribution, industrial, and financial center, and a farm 82-76 at the Vanguard tournament in Costa Mesa Costa Mesa (kŏs`tə mā`sə), city (1990 pop. 96,357), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific south of Santa Ana; inc. 1953. It is a transportation, residential, and light industrial center. . Oklahoma City is the two-time defending NAIA champion and this year's top seed. ``The No. 1 team in the country, our confidence was built so much there,'' sophomore center Lesley DuBois said. ``And we didn't even play our best game either, so we were like, 'Wow.' That was a major a turning point.'' The Mustangs' success has come despite injuries throughout the year. The most serious befell arguably the team's most important players. Gritty senior point guard Karen Gormley has suffered from knee tendinitis all year. Leading scorer and rebounder Erin Buescher Erin Buescher (born June 5, 1979 in Santa Rosa, California) is a professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) currently with the San Antonio Silver Stars. , the UC Santa Barbara transfer who gives the Mustangs the star player needed to make a deep postseason run, missed four games with a left-foot stress fracture stress fracture n. A fatigue fracture of bone caused by repeated application of a heavy load, such as the constant pounding on a surface by runners, gymnasts, and dancers. . The Mustangs have overcome those setbacks, along with the disappointments at Fresno Pacific and Azusa Pacific. ``I think those two games showed us we can be beat if we don't focus on things,'' sophomore guard Kelly Cornell said. ``I was pumped up about this season, thinking, 'We're going to be good.' And then we get Erin, we're going to be really good.'' It was a little shaky at first, but Cornell's premonition proved accurate. The Master's lost in the first round in its only previous trip to the nationals two years ago. More is expected of this trip to Tennessee. ``When we go, we're not just going to be there,'' Buescher said. ``We've achieved for right now what we wanted to. But ... the national tournament is what you play for all season. The biggest thing that we've come to do all season is yet to happen.'' THE MASTER'S COLLEGE vs. DILLARD UNIVERSITY Tipoff: 8:15 p.m., at Oman Arena, Jackson, Tenn. Webcast: Live stats available during the game on www.naia.org. The Master's (26-2) update: The Mustangs have as good an opportunity as anyone to win the NAIA championship. They have a star player (Erin Buescher), a veteran floor leader (Karen Gormley), a dominant post player (Lesley DuBois) and a handful of role players (Kelly Cornell, Jorden Whittington and Tori Olson among others). ``They're focused. They're ready to go and play,'' coach Ken Sugarman said. ``Whatever happens, you can't take away what we've accomplished this year.'' Dillard (20-8) update: The New Orleans-based Devilettes lost 49-48 to crosstown rival Xavier in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. championship game. Dillard is led by all-conference selections Theresa Samuels, Kiavanna Johnson and Jessica Brown. - Chris Cocoles CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Lesley DuBois, left, and Erin Buescher have helped turn The Master's College women's basketball team into a national title contender. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News Box: The Master's College vs. Dillard University (see text) |
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