(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team (1-0) got off to a great start in its 2022-23 opener beating SAGU-AIC (0-3) 99-63 at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz. The Buccaneers jumped out to a fast start and never let up over four quarters posting its highest point total in a season opener and the highest point total they have scored against SAGU in their nine matchups.
“We have the ability to score in bunches,” said Buccaneers head coach Jeff Fore. “But we have some work to do on the defensives end. The good thing is the mistakes are easily correctable.”
The Buccaneers scored over 20 points in each of the four quarters, including coming out to start the second half posting 31. As the Buccaneers gained confidence, their offensive output increased scoring 45 in the first half and 54 in the second.
On the offensive end of the ledger, the Bucs shot 54 percent from the floor and 33 percent from beyond the arc. The Buccaneers nailed eight trifectas which is the 44th game in Bucs history out of 62 games (71 percent) they have hit five or more three-point baskets. The only two bugaboos for the Bucs offensively were at the charity stripe where they shot 63 percent (17-27) and turnovers of which they had 21. Thirteen players saw the floor for the Buccaneers tonight, 12 of them put points on the board.
On the defensive side of the ball the Bucs held the Warriors to 38 percent shooting from the floor and 13 percent (2-15) from long range. The Bucs forced 22 turnovers and out rebounded SAGU by 25 (53-28). The Bucs had 19 offensive rebounds which they were able to turn into 21 second chance points.
Individually, Macy Markus posted her eighth 20-plus point game of her Buccaneer career with 25 points on 50 percent shooting from both the floor (9-18) and three-point range (4-8). The Bucs had four players in double digits in scoring as Kayla Schroeder 17, Madison Chappell, 15 and Jazmyne Jenkins 15 all had solid games. Jenkins was 7-9 from the floor (.778) and also recorded her first double-double corralling 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Chappell, who recorded the only triple-double in Park Gilbert history the last time these two teams met last December, was 6-7 (.857) from the floor and added nine rebounds and five steals on the evening.
Point guard Jayla Reliford led the team with eight assists. This tied her career high which is also a school record.
With the 99 points scored, Park Gilbert set a couple of new marks. They set the record for most points in a home opener, besting its previous high of 89 last season against Ottawa (Ariz.). It also set a new high for points against SAGU, topping its previous high mark of 96 set back in January of 2021. The Buccaneers have a 9-0 record against the Warriors. The 36-point margin of victory was the second largest against SAGU in team history. The Bucs beat the Warriors by 42 points, 87-45 in January of 2020.
Now the Bucs hit the road for an exhibition contest against Division I Utah Valley on Monday, November 7. This is the second consecutive year the Bucs will make the trek to Orem, Utah. Last season, the lost 90-47, of the returning players, Markus had eight points and four assists against her old team, Kianna Turenne had seven points and Reliford and six points and four assists.
The game at Utah Valley starts at 6 p.m. Arizona time will be shown on ESPN+.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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