After a week of playing Division I teams, you would think the Park University Gilbert women's basketball team would take it easy on the competition level.  But the Buccaneers never refuse the opportunity to continue to challenge themselves and this week the Bucs continued this trend, traveling to Pueblo, Colo., to participate in the Al Kaly Classic hosted by Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo. Park Gilbert struggled its first game dropping a 92-37 decision against Division II Colorado Mesa.

The Buccaneers (1-4) were without the services of starting senior point guard Destinee Vigil who was ruled out prior to the game due to a concussion.  Freshman Jayla Reliford made her first start of the year in relief of Vigil.

"We came out flat and really struggled from the field," said Buccaneers head coach Jeff Fore. "We just could not get anything going.  All credit to Mesa, they played the best they have all year and shot it extremely well."

The game was decided in the first quarter where the Mavericks outscored the Bucs 26-7 and it was a bad start they could not overcome.  Park Gilbert struggled to make baskets which is one of its calling cards, shooting 23 percent from the floor for the game. The Bucs ability to make threes is another staple of their offense and they only made two trifectas for the game.  The Bucs still have made at least two three pointers in every game in their history but their streak of making five or more in a game ends at six dating back to last season. Park only managed to score 12 points in the first half which is the lowest for a first half in team history.

The Mavericks (3-0) shot 56 percent from the floor from the game and put up 92 points despite only making three long range baskets themselves.  CMU dominated in the paint scoring 50 of its 92 points in the post. They had seven players score in double figures.

For the Buccaneers, Reliford and junior Jasmine Kelly led the team in scoring with nine points each.  Freshman Haley Valencia had six points and led the team in rebounds with five on the day. 

Park Gilbert returns to action late tomorrow afternoon as it takes on host Colorado State University-Pueblo at 5 p.m.