The Cinderella story has ended. Poor shooting and a hot UC Merced squad beat the Park University Gilbert women's basketball team 76-55 and the Buccaneers hopes of making the NAIA Tournament in their first year of eligibility falls one game short. The Buccaneers finish the season with a 16-10 record. The 16 wins is the best in the program's three-year history as they had 14 in year one and last year the Bucs only played seven games.

"This was a disappointing end to our season," said head coach Jeff Fore. "We had higher aspirations, but I am so proud of this team and what they were able to do this season. With the injuries and adversity we had to battle all season, what this group was able to accomplish is amazing. We will be back next year, and the sky is the limit."

The Bucs struggled to find the range in the first half (37 percent), while UC Merced seemingly could not miss (53 percent).  They shot especially well from three-point range (6-10 60 percent). In addition, the Merced press gave the Bucs fits as they turned the ball over 13 in the first 20 minutes when they only turned it over 12 times the entire game versus Simpson.

Macy Markus scored nine first half points and Jayla Reliford was right behind with eight. Markus struggled to find open looks as she was 4-12 from the floor in the first half and missed on both of her threes. Those two combined to score 17 of the Buccaneers 21 first half points.

The Bucs could not cut into the Bobcat deficit in the third quarter as they continued to struggle from the floor, only putting up 10 points in the frame and fell behind by 27.

The fourth quarter started better as the Bucs went on a 10-0 run to start the quarter, but the Bobcats had an answer with a 10-5 run of their own to keep the lead over 20. While the Bucs outscored the Bobcats in the fourth quarter it was too little too late and the Buccaneer season ends in the Cal Pac semifinals.

The Buccaneers bench, when they had enough players this year, has been a strong suit, but did not produce like normal tonight getting outscored 36-9 by the Bobcat bench. Another one of the things the Buccaneers had done well in conference play was take care of the basketball. Tonight, they Bucs turned the ball over 22 times and the Bobcats turned it into 25 points.

Markus finished with 19 points to lead the team, while Reliford and Hayley Valencia each posted 10 points. Jasmine Kelly and Madison Chappell each had seven rebounds to lead the team.

The Buccaneers future looks bright as they only lose two seniors and everyone else from this game are slated to return next year. The Buccaneers lost over 100 games to injury and illness this year but should have a healthier team next season, along with the return of the key players who sat out most of this year. Along with a solid recruiting class, this should only enhance their chances of improving on what they accomplished this season.