(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s basketball team (5-11, 2-2) lost a tight 79-74 battle to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles (7-10, 2-2), Thursday night at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
After a high scoring first half, this contest turned into a defensive struggle in the second half as both teams traded scoring runs throughout the night.
Through 20 minutes of play, the Buccaneers shot 50% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. In the second half, those numbers dipped to 41.9% and 28.6% respectively. Embry-Riddle shot an impressive 66.7% from the field in the first half, but their numbers also took a dip in the second as they posted a second half FG% of 35.5%.
Despite the loss, the Bucs got an incredible effort out of guard Tanner Pate. The sophomore from Ahwatukee, Ariz. played all but two minutes, scored 30 points, dished out six assists and pulled down four rebounds. Pate’s 30 points and 13 field goals made set new individual highs in those categories for the team this season. His previous scoring high was the 27 points recorded on Nov. 19 against West Coast Baptist.
Forward Aidan Moreno and guard Marquis McKinzy were the other two Buccaneers to reach double-digit scoring figures. Moreno finished with an efficient 15 points, shooting 6-7 and hauling in 6 rebounds. McKinzy scored 14 points, providing a spark from downtown with four made three-pointers. Pate, Moreno, and McKinzy each played at least 30 minutes on Thursday night.
The Park-Gilbert men’s basketball team gears up for another GSAC matchup against the No. 7 ranked The Master’s University Mustangs (15-3, 3-1) on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2:00 p.m. MST, at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
Click on Logo
