(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team (2-5, 0-4) dropped its fifth game in a row and fourth consecutive conference contest with an 85-76 loss to La Sierra University this afternoon at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz.
The Buccaneers who had been struggling from the floor, improved to 48 percent on the afternoon, but turned the ball over 24 times. The Eagles were able to turn those 24 miscues into 24 points of their own. On the other side, LSU shot lights out from start to finish as they ended the game shooting 49 percent, but the final difference came from beyond the arc where the Eagles made 12 three-pointers and shot 50 percent. The Eagles also made six more trips to the free throw line and converted three more free throws.
La Sierra only led by five at the half, shooting 53 percent in the first half and knocking down nine of its 12 trifectas. They managed to break the game open in the third, outscoring the Bucs 20-12 and knocking down its last three shots from long range. The Bucs outscored the Eagles in the final frame 28-23 but could not overcome the 13-point deficit it faced going into the fourth quarter.
Jazmyne Jenkins was a monster in the paint, scoring a career high 18 points and pulling down a career high 15 rebounds. Macy Markus scored 13, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter and she tried to single handily bring the Bucs back. Jayla Reliford set the school record for assists with 10, breaking the previous mark she held with Markus at eight. Freshman Sophie Scottset a career high with nine points in 11 minutes of action.
LSU’s Kaylee Martinez led all scorers with 22 points as she knocked down four three pointers on six shots along with Samantha Greene who also went 4-6 from long range. Martinez posted a double-double as she led the Eagles with 11 points.
The Buccaneers have now lost five in a row for the first time in program history. Their four losses in conference are more than they had all of last season in conference in the regular season. The Bucs longest losing streak prior to this was four games back in their inaugural season. The Bucs next chance to end the streak will come this Saturday, December 17 at 12 p.m. against Benedictine Mesa who also has yet to win a game in conference.
Press Release courtesy of Park University – Preston English
