COSTA MESA – A frenetic pace, free throw adventures and high scoring theatrics were all on display Saturday between Vanguard and The Master's, but the Mustangs emerged with the 102-91 victory in Golden State Athletic Conference men's basketball action.

The Lions and Mustangs slogged through 52 fouls and 72 free throw attempts before the athleticism of Ty Harper and three-point prowess of Kamrin Oriol propelled TMU to victory. Oriol scored a game-high 28 points, hitting 6 of 9 from distance and 8 of 10 at the foul line. Harper added 24 points as he was a perfect 9 of 9 from the stripe.

Former VU guard Jordan Caruso had a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double to go along with six assists in a team-high 39 minutes. Teammate Kaleb Lowery also turned in a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Jackson Larsen led the Blue and Gold with a career high 26 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Anthony Tello set career-highs for points (24), field goals made (10) and field goals attempted (17) in just 23 minutes off the bench.

The Lion duo shot a combined 20 of 33 – 60.6 percent – but the rest of the team struggled at a 33.3 (13 of 39) clip. Phillip Willis had eight points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals, while Cam'Ron Wilson provided eight points, eight rebounds and two steals.

VU had the edge in points in the paint (46-38), points off turnovers (16-12) and bench points (40-35), but could not overcome the discrepancy at the foul line. TMU shot 81.5 (22 of 27) percent from the stripe in the second half, while the Lions managed just 63.6 percent (14 of 22) as they attempted to climb back from a double-digit deficit.

The Mustangs held a sizable 55-32 edge in the rebounding battle, pulling down 17 offensive caroms.

VU fell to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in GSAC action. The Mustangs improved to 13-3 and 2-0 in conference play.

What Happened?: Both teams scored 54 points in an evenly played second half. But the Mustangs forged an 11-point halftime lead, with the key stat a 13 of 16 performance at the free throw line. The Lions took just six free throw attempts over the first 20 minutes, and made three.

The Lions outshot the Mustangs in the first stanza, 45.7 to 40.0 percent, with both teams making 16 baskets.

There were six lead changes during the first three minutes as Larsen scored seven of VU's first nine points. Larsen dominated with aggressive moves in the paint, and he eventually accounted for 12 of the team's first 14 points as VU led 14-12 at the 15:02 mark.

However, the senior center committed his second foul at the 6:48 mark and did not return the remainder of the half.

TMU led 30-26 at the time of Larsen's departure. The Lions stuck around for awhile but went cold for four minutes as the Mustangs mounted a 10-0 run. Caruso scored five straight points, Oriol drained a three and Harper wiggled inside for a layup as the Mustangs claimed a 42-30 lead.

The run eventually became 15-2 as Harper raced down court for another layup to put TMU up 47-32 with 52 seconds to go. The Lions got a three from Willis with seven ticks to cut the deficit to 48-37 at halftime.

VU tried to get Larsen going again to start the second half, and he responded with five straight points following a Bryson Metz triple to open the frame. Larsen converted a free throw on a traditional three-point play to pull the Lions within 52-45 at the 18:07 mark.

But the Mustangs notched six straight points to lead 58-45 just two minutes later. Larsen bullied his way inside for a layup to cut the deficit to 58-47 with 15:50 to go.

TMU extended the margin to 16 points following a three from Lowery. The Lions managed just two field goals over a five and a half minute stretch – and although they scored six points at the foul line – the offensive slump resulted in a 75-58 deficit as Oriol banged down a three with 9:34 to go.

VU faced its largest deficit of 19 points when Harper's three gave TMU an 89-70 lead with 4:17 on the clock. 

That's when the Blue and Gold picked up the defensive pressure and forced the Mustangs into turnovers on four straight possessions. The Lions capitalized, scoring seven straight points in a span of 49 seconds to pull within 89-77. 

Tello stole the ball on an Oriol miscue and the Lions had Wilson on the breakaway, but he missed the dunk attempt. Willis stole the ball from Oriol again and drew a foul, making two free throws to get VU within 89-79.

But the Mustangs maintained their double-digit lead until one last Lion gasp involving Tello, who scored seven points within 39 seconds to get the Lions within 98-91. 

It was too little, too late as TMU closed the game going 4 of 4 at the line.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions saw their season-best four-game winning streak halted. VU is shooting just 62.1 (36 of 58) percent from the free throw line over the last three games.

What Was Said?: "Credit The Master's for making big plays and big shots in big moments, and being relentless on the glass," said Head Coach Rhett Soliday. "They are as good as anyone we've played and I'm just proud that our guys didn't quit. They kept competing with belief and that leaves us something to keep building on as we head into two really tough games next week."

What's Next?: The Lions host Jessup and Menlo next week – opponents with a combined record of 24-6. VU hosts the Warriors on Thursday, January 11 with tip time 7:30 p.m. at Orange Coast College.