Men's Basketball Robert Nilsen

Wilson Scores 28 To Lead Royals To Big 96-84 Road Win Over Mustangs

Santa Clarita, CA - The Hope International University men's basketball team (16-7, 9-5 GSAC) picked up a big road victory as they took down The Master's University Mustangs 96-84 on Thursday evening in Santa Clarita, CA.

It was a tight game early on as the teams exchanged leads before the Mustangs used an 8-0 run to take an early 15-8 advantage. The Mustangs continued to hold the Royals at bay as they led 20-16 with 6:38 to go. The Royals then went on a 7-0 run led by a three pointer from Tristan Williams to take a 23-20 lead with 4:11 remaining. The Royals continued to assert themselves as they built a 30-24 lead off a layup from Charles Neal. Then Gaven Ramirez nailed a three to push the Royals lead to seven but the Mustangs got a late layup to narrow the Royals advantage to 33-28 at halftime. 

The Royals started the second half with a bang as they opened on a 15-2 run with seven points coming from Neal as they took a commanding 48-30 advantage just four minutes into the half. The Mustangs used a quick run to get within 48-35 but the Royals quickly answered as a three by Sebastian Castro pushed their lead to 55-35. The Mustangs wouldn't go down easily though as they got within 61-49 midway through the half. The Mustangs continued to push as they got within 71-62 with 4:45 to go. The Royals weren't interested in allowing any comebacks though as they used a 9-0 run finished by a layup from Jalani Horn to increase their lead to 80-62 with 2:59 to go. Garbage time produced a lot of points as the Royals emerged victorious 96-84. Rasheet Wilson led the Royals with 28 points. 

The Royals continue action on the road as they head up the coast to take on Westmont College on Saturday, February 4 at 4:00 PM.