Redding, Calif. – The Park University Gilbert men's basketball team kicked off conference play against Simpson University with a groundbreaking 77-69 win on Thursday night. This represents the Buccaneers first conference winning streak in program history.

Coming into the season, Simpson was selected as no. 3 seed in the California Pacific Conference Coaches Poll, while receiving the no. 1 vote.

With the lead changing seven times in the first 20 minutes of the first half, it proved to be a close battle as both teams stayed within a 10 point range of each other. The Buccaneers went 14-27 from the floor, with the Redhawks trailing in the shooting category 11-30, but it was obvious that the Bucs wanted more.

Head coach Gordon Stubblefield said, "This was a big win for us right off the bat. The guys were able to compose themselves throughout the game and establish a lead early on."

Zach Lewkowski, the transfer from Illinois Central College, led the first half with nine points and four rebounds after coming off the bench. Vincent Cooke chipped in with eight points, going 4-7 from the field in the first half.

LC Ballard came up big for the Buccaneers during the second half. The junior from Oklahoma City, Okla. put up 19 points, shooting 5-7 from the line. Cooke added to his point total making it 16 on the night, while big man Olgierd Dmochewicz recorded his third double-double of his Bucs career, controlling the paint with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Redhawks did not go down without a fight, however, putting up 43 points in the final half, including 12 in the second half alone, coming from the 2021-22 Cal Pac Player and Newcomer of the year Gary Mims.

The Bucs are slated to take on the Bobcats of UC Merced on Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m. in their second Cal Pac game of the season. Streaming will be available on the UC Merced and Park University Gilbert athletics websites.

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