(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s and women’s basketball teams took on La Sierra University this evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds. The women won handily 69-46 while the men took a tough 83-80 loss in overtime.
Women’s Basketball
Park Gilbert 69, La Sierra 46
The Buccaneer women got off to a slow start but finished strong en route to a 23-point win over LSU. After allowing 18 points in the first quarter, the Bucs put the defensive clamps on the Eagles and only allowed 28 points the rest of the game. The win ups the Bucs mark to 12-7 overall and 10-2 in conference play.
The Bucs forced 25 LSU turnovers including 18 steals and only has nine turnovers themselves a season low and the fewest since they had five against Cal Maritime last year on February 5.
Twelve players saw the floor for the Bucs tonight, and 11 of them scored. Leading the way as normal was Kayla Schroeder who scored 23 points, the eighth time she has scored 20 or more points this season.
The Bucs didn’t shoot particularly well, only converting on 37 percent of its shots. They also only made four three-point baskets which halted a streak of seven consecutive games with five or more.
Schroeder and Madison Chappell tied for the team lead with seven boards. Jayla Reliford added five assists.
With this win, the Bucs return to a tie for first with Benedictine Mesa, ahead of their key conference contest this upcoming Tuesday at Chandler-Gilbert Community College at 6 p.m.. The Redhawks beat the Bucs back in December by two in a game played at Arizona Christian because Arizona Athletic Grounds was not available. This is the first of two huge conference games as Park will then travel to Antelope Valley to take on third place UAV.
Men’s Basketball
La Sierra 83, Park Gilbert 80
The Bucs did everything they could to win this game and had the lead with under five seconds to go in regulation. But four desperation three point baskets did the Bucs in this evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
With under five seconds to go, the Bucs led by four when the first dagger was made by LSU’s Benjamin Ramirez. Caleb Ivy was promptly fouled and he made his two free throws to return the game to a three-point advantage. But as the buzzer sounded, Ramirez made another desperation three to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Then in overtime, the Bucs had a three-point lead again and with 27 second left the Eagles tied it with a three-pointer. Then after Caleb Ivy missed a jumper with four seconds to go, LSU got the rebound and Ramirez threw up another long range three which hit the front rim, then the backboard and then went through the hoop to end the game and give the Eagles a three-point win and the Bucs a heartbreaking loss.
Both Ivy and Even Hoosier set career highs for points with 24 and 20, respectively. Hoosier added his third double-double of the season with 11 rebounds.
The Bucs will have two road games against Benedictine Mesa and Antelope Valley on the docket for next week as they attempt to get back on the winning track.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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