(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert men’s basketball team (6-15, 3-6) defeated the Life Pacific University Warriors (11-6, 5-4) on home turf, Saturday afternoon at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
The Buccaneers got off the schneid, snapping a six-game losing streak in conference play and securing the season sweep over LPU.
The last two weeks have been riddled with offensive struggles for Park-Gilbert, as they’ve averaged 50.3 points over their previous four games where they faced three ranked opponents (#7 The Master’s, #6 Arizona Christian, #22 Hope International). On Saturday afternoon against the Warriors, those struggles were put to sleep as the Bucs tied their second-highest scoring total of 79, previously reached this season in a win against the University of Providence on Dec. 16, 2024.
After a low-scoring first half, both teams started to light up the scoreboard as Park-Gilbert and Life Pacific combined for 90 second-half points.
Four Buccaneers reached double-digit scoring figures Saturday afternoon, with guard Mahlik Lindsey leading the way with an efficient 19-point effort. Lindsey shot 6-8 from the field, knocked down four three-pointers, and came away with six steals Saturday afternoon.
Guard Tanner Pate gave the Bucs 15 points as he went 2-2 from beyond the arc and pulled down four rebounds. Forward Tyson Banks provided an effective paint presence on both ends of the floor with 13 points and six rebounds. Guard Kylan Shorts played all but six minutes as he racked up 11 points and three steals.
Park-Gilbert shot 45.9% from the field and 45% from downtown, while the Life Pacific shot 42.6% from the field and 26.9% from three-point land.
The Buccaneers men’s basketball team will look to keep the offense rolling as they draw another tough opponent in The Master’s this Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 8:30 p.m. MST. Park-Gilbert and the No. 5 program in the NAIA will meet again, this time in Santa Clarita, California.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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