(Santa Clarita, CA) When these two teams meet up, all of the lights on the scoreboard get used. The Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team put up the most points this year in a GSAC game, but also allowed their highest total in a game this season as they fell to The Master’s University this evening, 99-89.
The Bucs fall to 11-9 overall and 5-5 in the GSAC.
The game initially did not look as though it would finish with a combined 188 points. The Buccaneers led for a good portion of the first half leading by one after the first quarter and by two
(34-32) after the second. The Bucs spread the scoring around in the first half with Park players in double figures heading into the intermission.
The second half was a different story for both teams. TMU came out on a mission in the third quarter and outscored the Bucs 27-22 to take a three-point lead in the final quarter. The shot 55 percent from the floor in the third quarter. TMU led 59-56 after three.
The fourth quarter was unlike any fourth quarter the Bucs have seen in its history. Park scored 33 points in the quarter which is just two off of the school record for a quarter. For the entire second half they scored 55 points, which was just six points off of the school record for points in a half. Unfortunately for Bucs fans, despite shooting 53 percent in frame, the Mustangs did not blink. TMU put up 40 points in the quarter, the most ever by a Bucs opponent in a quarter and 67 points for the second half which is the most points scored by an opponent in a half.
The Master’s had a sizable advantage in height in the paint and took full advantage outrebounding the Bucs by 20, 61-41 The Mustangs also had 26 offensive boards which turned into 19 points and scored half of their points (50) in the paint.
The Bucs again relied on their three-point shooting to keep them in the contest as they made 16 three-point baskets in this game after making 17 against the Mustangs last month. Savannah Huerta, Kayla Schroeder and Hemani Kalia each had four three-point baskets for the game.
Huerta led the Bucs with 21 points, followed by Aubry Saleapaga with 19 with Schroeder and Kalia each chipping in with 14.
Alynna Palacios led the Bucs with eight rebounds and three steals. Saleapaga dished out five assists. Larken Hoar had a career high three blocks.
The Bucs hope to get back on the winning side of this Saturday, February 8 at 2:30 p.m. against Embry Riddle in Prescott, Ariz. The Eagles have been playing much better ball since these two teams last met. ERAU (4-6 GSAC) is just a game behind the Bucs for the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference tournament. Saturday’s game will have major implications on Bucs postseason fortunes.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
Click on Logo
