In one of the biggest wins in program history under the Coach Thompson Era, the Our Lady of the Lake University men’s basketball team stunned the nation Thursday night, taking down the No. 9 team in the country, The Master’s University Mustangs, with a thrilling 86-79 victory. The Saints played with heart, grit, and confidence from start to finish, proving they could compete, and win, against one of the NAIA’s elite programs.
From the opening tip, OLLU showed they weren’t intimidated by the top-ten Mustangs. The Saints shot an impressive 45.9 percent from the field, moving the ball with precision and purpose. Their unselfish play was on full display, racking up 20 team assists and finding scoring opportunities inside and out. From beyond the arc, OLLU went 9-for-22, knocking down big shots at crucial moments to keep momentum in their favor.
The battle on the boards was one of the key differences in the game. OLLU dominated the glass, outrebounding The Master’s 53-44, including 17 offensive rebounds that led to critical second-chance points. The Saints also turned defense into offense, forcing the Mustangs into costly mistakes and converting them into 11 points off turnovers. OLLU’s relentless hustle resulted in 5 blocks and 10 steals, a testament to their all-around defensive effort.
Inside, the Saints were unstoppable, scoring 40 points in the paint and showing physicality that overwhelmed their nationally ranked opponent. The bench stepped up in a major way as well, contributing 21 points and keeping the energy high whenever they were called upon.
Wahkil Lopez led the charge for OLLU, putting together a brilliant performance. Lopez went 10-for-13 from the field on his way to 22 points, adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 2-for-4 from the free throw line. His leadership and composure set the tone for the Saints throughout the night. Jaydin Morin-Bishop added 16 points and 7 rebounds, battling on both ends of the floor. Isaiah Moore was efficient with 14 points and 3 rebounds, while Mike Aiken chipped in 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kenyon Elliot anchored the team inside, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds as the Saints controlled the glass all night long.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Saints celebrated a hard-earned 86-79 win over one of the best teams in the nation.
The Saints will be back in action Friday night against Westcliff (CA) at 10:30 PM CDT.