(Mesa, AZ) You live by the three and you die by the three. The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team after knocking down 17 three-point baskets in its last game, struggled to find the range tonight against the Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks, dropping a 76-65 decision at the Benedictine University in Mesa, Arizona.
This was the Buccaneers first road loss of the season as they drop to 10-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play. This was also the first loss of the season for the Bucs to a team with a losing record at the start of the game and snaps the Bucs four-game winning streak. The Bucs also have not solved the Redhawks riddle as Park Gilbert is now 1-8 all-time against BENU and lost five contests in a row to the Redhawks.
The Bucs shot 39 percent from the field in the first half and only trailed by two entering intermission. But the lid went on the basket in the second half as Park Gilbert only made seven shots total in the third and fourth quarters. This led to a 20 percent shooting percentage in the second half and a 29 percent shooting percentage for the game.
Park only made six three point baskets tonight and shot 17 percent from beyond the arc after making 48 percent of its threes on Saturday.
Benedictine Mesa wasn’t much better in the second half only making nine shots, but the Redhawks dominated on the boards to the tune of a 15-board advantage (58-43), including 22 rebounds on the offensive glass which led to 26 second chance points for BENU.
Savannah Huerta scored 19 points in the loss for the Buccaneers, followed by Kayla Schroeder with 13. Alynna Palacios corralled seven boards.
Things don’t get any easier for the Buccos as they return home to take on No. 13 Arizona Christian on Saturday, January 25 at 12 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English