(Merced, CA) The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team fell short of its goal of making the NAIA National Basketball Tournament after falling to Antelope Valley in the semifinals of the California Pacific Conference Basketball Championships 73-66 at Gallo Gymnasium.
The Buccaneers finish the season with a 16-13 record. The 16 wins ties the school record for most wins in a season.
The first quarter saw the Pioneers jump out quickly 5-0 and then after the Bucs brought it to within one, took the lead back to seven at 13-6. The Buccaneers then just slowly worked their way back into quarter tying the game at 17 before a UAV three with 16 seconds left gave the Pioneers a three-point lead at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter saw more back and forth action as the Bucs took the lead early in the quarter on a Kayla Schroeder three-point basket but UAV retook the lead and held on despite the fact the Bucs would tie the game on a four occasions. The Pioneers would hang on to take a two-point lead into the intermission. Schroeder led all scorers in the first half with 15 points.
The Bucs would shoot 39 percent in the first half, while the Pioneers would shoot 41 percent.
The third quarter continued the back and forth action. There would be eight lead changes in the quarter. Head coach Ben York said it would take a total team effort and the Bucs received a bench boost from freshman Mariana Cubero who led the Bucs with six points in the quarter on a pair of three-point baskets. The two teams ended the third quarter in a tie at 56-all.
This season, the Bucs seemed to always have one quarter where they faltered with their shooting percentage. Unfortunately, today it was in the fourth quarter. The Bucs shot 18 percent and shot 0-8 from three, only scoring 10 points in the final frame. UAV shot 36 percent and pulled away at the end, making their free throws down the stretch to bring the final margin to seven points which was not indicative of how tight this game was or how well the Bucs played.
Schroder led all scorers with 20 points, she also led the team with six rebounds. Jayla Relifordhad 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Buccaneers say goodbye to four seniors and grad players who gave their all to the program since its inaugural year. Jenny Todd is the only player from the Bucs first season in 2019-20 to finish her career in a Buccaneers uniform. Madison Chappell joined the program a year later and Jazmyne Jenkins last year. Faith Watkins joined the program this year as a transfer.
The Bucs now move forward into their spring and summer program and look forward to new challenges and opportunities as they move into a new conference next season.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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