(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert Women’s and men’s basketball teams split their games with Westcliff University this evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds. The women won the opener 56-41, while the men fell 90-74.
Women’s Basketball – Park Gilbert 56, Westcliff 41
After a tight start, the Buccaneers outscored the Warriors 41-26 over the last three quarters to cruise to a 15-point win.
The Bucs used solid defense and a big game offensively from Faith Watkins to get the win.
Watkins had 17 points and two steals as the only Buccaneer in double figures. She utilized her 6-3 frame to take advantage of a smaller Westcliff squad. Watkins even made a three-point basket.
Madison Chappell was dominant on the boards again, pulling down 11 rebounds. Leading scorer Kayla Schroeder, nursing a bad back, only had nine points, the first time all year she has not scored in double digits and the first time since January 29 of last season against Simpson, a span of 28 games.
The Bucs shot 44 percent from the floor which they needed to offset their 23 turnovers. But they held Westcliff to a paltry 24 percent from the floor.
Sit in third place in the conference standings, but own tiebreakers against Embry Riddle and Westcliff who trill them in the standings. They still have another matchup with Simpson next week who beat them earlier this season.
Men’s Basketball – Westcliff 90, Park Gilbert 74
Don’t let the final score fool you, the Buccaneers gave everything it had and put a scare into Westcliff this evening. The Bucs were within two possessions of the Warriors with six minutes to go. But a late run, spurred by 19 second half points from Jamal Briscoe doomed the Bucs in the end.
Briscoe finished with 30 points to lead all scorers, LC Ballard led the Bucs with 16 points, followed by DJ Frye off the bench with 15 and Marquise Mckinzey, making his first start with 14. Caleb Ivy led Park with 10 rebounds.
Park shot 44 percent from the floor, while Westcliff shot 47 percent. Westcliff made four more three-point baskets (13-9) as well.
Both Bucs squads close out the homestand on Saturday, February 10 against Saint Katherine at Arizona Athletic Grounds at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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