(San Marcos, CA) The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team got the new year off on the right foot with a close hard fought 60-58 win over Saint Katherine this afternoon at the USK Sports Complex. With the win the Bucs even its overall record at 6-6 and move to 4-1 in the California Pacific Conference which keeps them in a tie for first place.
This was the closest game in the history of the series. The Bucs won a 46-43 contest back in February of 2020. Park leads the series now 7-0.
The first quarter saw the Firebirds lead for most of the quarter until Buccaneer center Faith Watkins scored the last seven points of the quarter to give the Bucs a one point lead at the first intermission 16-15.
The second quarter featured runs by both squads. The Bucs went on a 6-0 run to start the stanza but it was answered 6-0 run by USK. Then after the Bucs snapped the run with its own basket, the Firebirds had another 5-0 run to take the lead. Then Park closed out the quarter with its own 4-0 run to take a three point halftime advantage.
Park shot 40 percent in the first half and USK 39 percent. The Firebirds made one more three-pointer (3-2) and Park was a perfect 3-3 from the free throw line. Both teams were turnover prone as USK had 16 miscues and Park 14.
The third quarter saw the Bucs extend their lead to as many as 11 points with about three minutes remaining. USK cut the lead to five with five seconds remaining, but Kayla Schroedermade a three-point bank buzzer beater from 30 feet as time expired to give the Bucs an eight-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
The shot at the end of the quarter turned out to be three key points for the Bucs as they have not dealt with prosperity well. USK outscored the Bucs 20-14 in the final quarter to make a game of it.
While Park had a lead as large as 10 points with just under seven minutes to go, USK made three trifectas in the final quarter which helped them to cut the lead to just one with 4:41 remaining. But just as she did in the Bucs road win against La Sierra, Jenny Todd came up big nailing a three-point basket on a fast break pass from Schroeder to give the Bucs some breathing room. Those three points were the only Bucs fast break points all game.
Madison Chappell would make a free throw to give the Bucs a five-point lead with 2:13 to go. Park would not score again and would have to hold off the Firebirds on the defensive end of the floor.
Steals by Watkins and Chappell helped the cause and the Bucs held the Firebirds to 1-6 shooting down the stretch. USK had a chance to tie or win with 15 second remaining but missed a three-point shot to take the lead and after corralling the offensive board, the Bucs defense forced a tough shot on the Firebirds top player Ana Daniels which airballed as time expired.
Park outshot USK shooting 42 to 39 percent, making four more baskets from the floor. USK made eight three-point baskets, while Park made seven and the Firebirds had six more free throw attempts (13-7) and five more makes (10-5).
This was not a pretty game as USK made 30 turnovers and Park made 27. USK won the rebounding battle 31-27.
Individually, Schroeder led the Bucs with 17 points and also had seven rebounds. Watkins finished with 13 points and eight boards. Chappell led the team with five assists and five steals.
Park now travels north to Irvine, Calif., to take on Westcliff on Saturday, January 6. Game time is 3 p.m. Arizona time.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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