(Prescott, AZ) The Park University Gilbert (6-17, 3-8) men’s basketball team lost to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles (11-13, 6-5) by a score of 60-58, Saturday afternoon on the road at the ERAU Activity Center in Prescott, Ariz.
Just like in the women’s game that preceded this matchup, these two conference foes played wire-to-wire as both schools walked away with a win in this men’s and women’s college basketball doubleheader.
In this defensive struggle of a contest, Embry-Riddle pulled away with a tight win as Park-Gilbert couldn’t send the game into overtime with a last-second contested layup. The Eagles shot 36.4% from the field and 16.1% from downtown, while the Bucs shot 33.8% and 40.9% respectively. Both team’s traded blows in the second half as neither team held a double-digit lead in the final 20 minutes of play.
After being ruled out for Wednesday night’s game against The Master’s, Buccaneers guard Tanner Pate returned to form as he scored a team-high 19 points Saturday afternoon. The sophomore from Ahwatukee, Ariz., had a productive first half with 11 points and three three-pointers as he shot 80% from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Pate also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
Bucs guard Toate Sika recorded his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Eagles, along with two steals and a block on the defensive end. Guard Mahlik Lindsey also provided a double-digit scoring effort with 11 points and three triples.
The Buccaneers men’s basketball team returns to the floor this Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. MST, when they face their fifth ranked opponent of the 2024-2025 season. Park-Gilbert will head to Glendale, Ariz., to face the No. 10 Arizona Christian University Firestorm (21-4, 9-2) at the ACU Events Center.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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