(San Dimas, CA) Consistency. It is what Park University Gilbert women’s basketball head coach Ben York has been looking for from his charges over the last few games on the offensive end of the floor but the Bucs are still trying to find that rhythm. They found enough of it tonight along with a stellar defensive effort to garner a 71-63 win over Life Pacific at Mohl Court.
With the win, Park Gilbert evens its record in the GSAC at 1-1 and moved to 7-5 overall. Life Pacific drops to 4-11 overall and 0-2 in the GSAC.
It was a total team win tonight for the Buccaneers as 10 different players scored with four players recaching double figures, but no one scoring more than 11 points. On the defensive side, the Buccaneers forced 30 turnovers (18 steals) which they turned into 25 points.
The Bucs took the lead early in the game taking a 20-13 advantage with 2:24 remaining in the quarter. But the Bucs went cold for the next seven minutes and seven seconds carrying over into the second quarter which allowed the Warriors to go on a 14-0 run to take seven point lead. 27-20. The Bucs managed to close the game to a two point deficit by halftime 32-30 and went to the locker room to regroup.
The third quarter saw Park Gilbert take the lead for good within the first three minutes of the third quarter, but LPU did not go quietly into that sweet night. The Bucs outscored the Warriors 18-11 in the quarter to take a 48-43 advantage into the final frame. Forward Larken Hoar lead the way with five points in the stanza.
The fourth quarter is where the consistency York has been look for showed up. The Buccaneers have struggled recently to put strong back-to-back quarters together with consistent offensive play. The did so in this game posting 23 points in the final quarter to hold off a game Warriors squad. But the last stanza was not without its hiccups. The Bucs extended its five-point lead to 13 points with 4:49 to play. But a 10-0 LPU run cut the lead to three with 2:39 remaining. But two layups by Alynna Palacios, free throws by senior Kayla Schroeder and a put back off of a missed free throw by Hemani Kalia down the stretch helped salt the game away.
Overall, the Bucs struggled from the floor, shooting 39 percent and only 25 percent from three-point range, making only eight three-pointers. Park came into the game averaging 13 threes and shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc. Six different Bucs made three-point baskets tonight.
Aubry Saleapaga the reigning GSAC Offensive Player of the Week led the team with 11 points, while GSAC Defensive Player of the Week Alynna Palacios added 13 rebounds and six steals to go with eight points. Kiley Bush pitched in with 10 points, tying her career high.
The Bucs conclude its road trip with a matchup against Hope International on Saturday, January 11. Game time is 1 p.m. Arizona time.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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