FULLERTON, Calif. --- The Park University Gilbert men's basketball team (12-17, 8-12) lost to the Hope International University Royals (16-4, 6-2) by a score of 120-117, Saturday afternoon at the Darling Pavilion in Fullerton, Calif.
The Buccaneers put up a valiant fight against the No. 9-ranked program in the NAIA. They had an explosive afternoon on the offensive end and held a double-digit lead in the second half of this contest. Park-Gilbert has never played a top 10 team this tough before, as this is the smallest margin of victory for any ranked opponent against the Bucs in program history.
Park-Gilbert recorded its highest single-game scoring total in program history, beating its 110-point outing in last season's win over West Coast Baptist in Oct. 2024. This came fresh off a Thursday loss to The Master's, where both teams logged 215 points, the highest combined scoring total in program history at the time. That feat was also eclipsed as the Buccaneers and Royals combined for 237 points in this contest.
The Bucs logged their highest field goal and three-point percentages all season, going 52% and 49% respectively.
A competitive first half ended with the Royals taking a two-point lead into the break. Park-Gilbert shot over 50% in the opening frame, led by an 11-point first half from Toate Sika.
Park-Gilbert kept its foot on the gas in the second half, taking an 11-point lead with just over six minutes remaining. The No. 9-ranked Royals began to claw back, bringing the lead to three points with three minutes remaining. With both teams in the bonus and hitting their free throws, the nail-biter continued as both teams were tied at 103 with 38 seconds left. A late turnover from Park with 10 seconds left, and a missed jumper from HIU, set the stage for the Bucs' second overtime battle in four games.
Overtime began with the Royals in striking first, holding a seven-point lead with three minutes remaining. The deficit was too large to overcome for the Bucs, as they fell just short of their first-ever win against a ranked opponent.
Two Buccaneers finished with 25 points or more for the first time all season. The last time a pair of Bucs logged 20+ points each was back in Jan. 2024, with Caleb Ivy and Evan Hoosier scoring 24 and 20 points respectively.
Guard Toate Sika recorded his fifth double-double of the year as he scored 28 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. Mahlik Lindsey logged 26 points, three rebounds, and four assists while knocking down five of six three-pointers.
Three more Buccaneers reached double-digit scoring figures. Guard Tanner Pate hit three triples, totaling 16 points on the day. Ivy logged 13 points and five assists. Luke Olmstead scored 12 points in his third game with Park-Gilbert.
The Buccaneers return home next week for a pair of GSAC games, as they host the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles (12-8, 5-3) this Thursday at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz. This game will be played at 7:30 p.m. MST.
