The Park University Gilbert men's basketball team found its shooting touch which had been missing for the past three games as they beat Benedictine Mesa 89-74 this evening at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz. The win is the ninth win of the season which is a new team high.

This is the first season sweep of the Redhawks for the Buccaneers, who also won earlier this season in 82-78 in double overtime.

The Bucs never trailed in the game, but the first half was much closer than the half time score would indicate. The Bucs had a one-point game with 7:18 to go, then proceeded to go on a 17-3 run to end the half to take a 15-point lead heading into halftime.

Caleb Ivy and LC Ballard led the first half charge with 11 and 9 points, respectively. The Bucs shot 47 percent in the first half, while holding the Redhawks to 38 percent. The Bucs first half was also fueled by the three-point basket. The Bucs shot 67 percent from beyond the arc, going 8-12. The Bucs dominated the boards, outrebounding the Redhawks 24-13.

Park continued its strong shooting in the second half, increasing its lead to as many as 21 points in the second half. Benedictine continued to fight a cut the advantage to 11 with just over a minute to go, but the Bucs with free throws and a late dunk ended the game with the same 15-point lead they had at the half.

Park shot 49 percent for the game after shooting 50 percent in the second half. The Buccaneers also set a school record for three-point baskets made with 14, passing the previous record of 13 set against Embry Riddle back in the Bucs first season as a program. The Bucs also set a school record for assists with 25, breaking the previous record of 22 set twice against Embry Riddle in 2022 and earlier this month against Pacific Union.

Both teams had nine turnovers, but the Buccos were able to convert those into 17 points, while the Redhawks only scored four points.

Individually, Caleb Ivy posted his first career double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, He also had five assists. The points and rebounds led the team while the assists tied for the team lead.

LC Ballard posted 15 points and five assists. He was 5-6 from three-point range for the game. Marquise Mckinzey scored a career-high 15 points as well making four three-point baskets. Aidan Moreno scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds. He also had five assists.

The Bucs now travel to Antelope Valley on Saturday, Feb. 3 to take on the top team in the conference. The Bucs will try to do something they have never done and that is beat the Pioneers who own a 5-0 record over the Bucs.