(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert women’s and men’s basketball teams both won its games tonight at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz., against Cal State University Maritime this evening with women winning by 25, 85-60 and the men by 10, 82-72.
With the win, the women clinch a berth in the California Pacific Conference Championships for the second time in three seasons. The men who were mathematically eliminated from the championships last week have possibly received new life as first place Antelope Valley, due to financial issues within the university may not be able to make the trip to the tournament. There is still much to be decided as UAV still is attempting to make the trip but the doubt makes the games this week have more meaning for the Buccaneer men.
Women’s Basketball – Park Gilbert 85, Cal Maritime 60
The Buccaneer women, who have struggled of late to score consistently, did not have any issues with putting the ball in the hole tonight, as the Bucs Shot 44 percent from the floor and scored 20 points or more in each of the first three quarters.
The Bucs had three players in double figures point wise led by Kayla Schroeder who posted a career-high 33 points and pulled down six boards. Schroeder’s 33 points were just three off the school record against an NAIA school of 36 and six away from the record against any opponent. Jayla Reliford posted her fifth career double-double with 15 points and 11 assists. She was just three rebounds from her second triple-double of the season. Jenny Todd also chipped in with 13 points as she shot 4-8 from three-point range. Anna Ross also had a strong game with eight points and a career-high nine rebounds to lead the team.
Park Gilbert had to play this game without forwards Bobbi Clark and Madison Chappell who both sat our with injuries. But they were not needed as their teammates picked up the slack on both ends of the floor.
The Buccaneers forced 23 turnovers and turned those into 32 points while only committing 14 miscues themselves. They outrebounded the Keelhaulers by 19 boards and took 32 more shots for the game.
The women close out the regular season on Saturday against Pacific Union. The game starts at 7 p.m. It is also senior night a nine Buccaneer student-athletes will be honored for the contributions to Buccaneer basketball. The senior ceremony starts at 6:15.
Men’s Basketball – Park Gilbert 82, Cal Maritime 72
The Buccaneer men shot 50 percent from the floor en route to a 10-point win over the Keelhaulers. The Bucs jumped out to a 16-2 lead via a 16-0 run after Cal Maritime scored the first two points of the game.
The Buccaneers never trailed again the rest of the way as they held on to that 14 point advantage going into halftime and then held on in the second half as they fended off a couple of Keelhauler runs which brought the score as close as seven once but they were never able to get it within more than three scores. The Bucs largest lead of the game was 17 points.
Park had five players in double figures led by LC Ballard with 19 points. Evan Hoosier posted a double-double for the fifth time this season and the second game in a row with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Marquise Mckinzey (11), Caleb Ivy and DJ Frye (10) also scored in double figures. Ivy also pulled down seven rebounds. Ballard also led the team with five assists.
The Bucs close out the regular season on Saturday, February 24 against Pacific Union with the game slated to start at 9 p.m. The men will also be honoring its seniors and graduates students LC Ballard and Kylan Shorts. The senior ceremony will begin immediately following the women’s basketball game.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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