GLENDALE, Ariz. --- The Park University Gilbert men's basketball team lost (6-18, 3-9) lost 84-64 on the road to the Arizona Christian University Firestorm (22-4, 10-2), Wednesday night at the ACU Events Center in Glendale, Ariz.

Despite outscoring the No. 5 ranked program in the NAIA in the second half, Park-Gilbert's 22-point first-half deficit was too much to overcome.

The Buccaneers showed improvements Wednesday night in the team's second meeting against ACU this season, as they shot 40.7% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Park only scored 43 points in the first meeting on Jan. 25, shooting 23.6% from the field and 11.1% from downtown.

Three Park-Gilbert players found themselves in double-digit scoring figures Wednesday night. Guard Tanner Pate played all but three minutes, leading the Bucs with 17 points. Guard Mahlik Lindsey came off the bench and provided 16 points and two steals off 21 minutes. Guard Toate Sika recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.

No. 5 Arizona Christian joins No. 22 Hope International and No. 8 The Master's atop the Great Southwest Athletic Conference standings, with all three teams holding a 22-4 overall record and 10-2 record in conference play.

The Buccaneers men's basketball team returns to the floor this Saturday, when they play their final home game of the 2024-2025 season. Park-Gilbert will face the Benedictine University Mesa Redhawks (12-14, 1-11) on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m. MST. This contest will be held at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz.