The Park University Gilbert women's basketball team ensured at least a tie for the Cal Pac Arizona Region title and beat Benedictine Mesa for the first time in school history with a 71-65 win at Chandler-Gilbert Community College Wednesday evening.

"After struggling defensively in the first half we made some nice adjustments," said Buccaneers head coach Jeff Fore. "Hayley really stepped up on (Grace) Russell, and Jasmine stepped up off the bench with her scoring and her energy. It feels good to get back in the win column."

The Bucs led the whole first half shooting 62 percent from the floor and holding the Redhawks to 39 percent without making a three-point shot.  But the Bucs sent the Hawks to the line 15 times where they made every free throw. Despite the hot shooting the Bucs only led by two at the intermission. Hayley Valencia scored 14 of her team and career high 20 points in the first half.

In the third quarter, BENU got hot from long range, knocking down three trifectas, while the Bucs cooled off, only making 35 percent of their attempts from the floor in the quarter. This enabled the Redhawks to take a one-point lead heading into the final stanza. 

The fourth quarter has been feast or famine for Park Gilbert this season.  A poor fourth quarter has put a few more marks in the loss column then they expected to have this season.  Tonight was not one of those nights.  An 11-1 run including two three-pointers by Macy Markus to start the fourth quarter put the Bucs up nine and BENU was never able to recover. Markus scored 13 of her 16 points in the second half. BENU was able to cut the margin to five with 4:29 to go, but would not get any closer.

In addition, the Buccaneers second half defense on BENU post player Grace Russell was key.  Russell scored 18 points in the first half shooting 60 percent (6-10) and going 6-6 from the free throw line, in the second half, a defensive switch to put Valencia on her paid dividends.  Russell did not make a field goal and only scored three points after the break, all coming from the free throw line. 

Along with her stellar defense, Valencia posted the first 20-point game in her career, pulled down seven boards and had three steals. Jasmine Kelly had a season high 17 points, along with five rebounds and two steals.  Jayla Reliford who played all 40 minutes, had 10 points, led the team in rebounds and assists with nine and six respectively.  She also nailed two clutch free throws in the final minute to help seal the win.

The Bucs can clinch the Cal Pac Arizona Region outright with a win tomorrow night in Prescott, Ariz., as they take on Embry Riddle.  The Bucs pulled out a 2OT win against the Eagles two weeks ago, so they will face a motivated squad looking to avenge that loss.