Fullerton, CA - The Hope International University women's basketball team (10-2, 5-1 GSAC) staged a furious comeback as they came back from 20 down to upset No. 17 The Master's University Mustangs in a thriller on Saturday evening in the Darling Pavilion.

The Mustangs came out of the gate quickly as they took an early 13-3 advantage with the only Royals basket coming on a three from Shiane Talley. The Royals quickly answered with three points as they cut the lead to 13-6 midway through the first. Once again, the Mustangs took control as they got out to a 21-6 lead. The Royals would cut it to 21-12 on a big three from Anyah Shamburger but the Mustangs closed the quarter on an 11-1 run to take a 33-13 lead at the end of the first. Down but not out the Royals got back to work as they opened the second on a 12-2 run led by six points from Jeanette Fine to cut the lead to 35-24 midway through the second. The Mustangs were able to keep it at 11 until Casey Fust nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to put the Royals within 44-36 at the half.

Sensing a change in the momentum the Royals came out of halftime fired up and scored five straight points led by four from Fine as they cut their deficit to 44-41. This time it was the Mustangs who answered right back as they took a 53-45 lead with 5:21 left. That didn't last long though as the Royals dug deep and went on 9-1 run to tie the game 54-54 on free throws by Fine with 2:25 left. The Royals would then take their first lead of the game off a jumper from Shamburger with 1:01 left followed by a three as they took a 62-58 lead at the end of the third. There was no turning back for the Royals as they held the No. 17 Mustangs at bay in the fourth as they opened the quarter on a 9-4 run finished off by a big three from Talley as they expanded their advantage to 73-62 midway through the fourth. The Mustangs continued battle and cut the lead to four at 79-75 with 1:24 left but Talley quickly answered with a jumper and the Royals hit late free throws down the stretch as they emerged with a stunning 85-77 victory. Talley led the Royals offense with 20 points.
 
The Royals take a break from GSAC play as they hit the road and head to Hawaii for two games where they will first face Chaminade University on Saturday, December 17 at 4:00 PM.