(Riverside, CA) The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team used a 44-point second half to pull away from the La Sierra University Eagles 75-54 in a non-conference matchup in Riverside, Calif., this evening. The Buccaneers move to 6-4 on the season.
Park Gilbert has now won four straight in the series having won those games by an average margin of 19 points.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair with eight lead changes. The Bucs held a two-point lead at halftime as both teams made 11 first half shots from the floor but the Bucs made six three-point shots to three made trifectas for the Eagles. The Eagles held a 24-18 lead on the boards. Alynna Palacios led the team with eight first half points.
After only scoring 10 points in the second quarter, the Bucs started the second half on a 12-6 run to take an eight-point lead after five minutes. Kayla Schroeder led the charge with seven points in the run. The Buccos continued to pour in shots as they outscored the Eagles 23-11 in the quarter to take a 14-point advantage into the fourth quarter. Park shot 52 percent from the field in the quarter after only shooting 34 percent in the first half.
The Buccaneers pulled away in the final frame, going on a 10-0 run to increase its advantage from 14 to 24 points in the first three minutes of the quarter. Savannah Huerta scored eight of the 10 points with two three-pointers and a jumper.
From there the Bucs cruised home finishing the game shooting 41 percent from the floor (44 percent in the second half) and making 14 three-point shots. This is the eighth time In 10 games this season where the Bucs have made 12 or more three-point shots.
The Buccaneers also played a clean game offensively with only eight turnovers, a season low. Meanwhile, they forced 21 Eagle turnovers and turned them into 24 points.
Individually, Huerta posted her fifth 20-point game of the season, pouring in 20 points, including six three-pointers. Palacios posted her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. She also was a defensive stalwart again swiping five steals. Schroeder scored 15 points and dished out six assists.
The Bucs now finish the 2024 with two games against NCAA Division I opponents, traveling to take on Southern Utah this Friday, December 20 and then return to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon on December 27.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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