The Park University Gilbert women's basketball team showed resiliency and mental toughness in a 60-55 comeback win against Westcliff University this afternoon in Irvine, Calif. With the win the Bucs move to 7-6 overall and 5-1 in Cal Pac play remaining in a tie for first place.

The Bucs jumped out to a 12-2 lead four minutes in the first quarter, but as has been the case multiple times this season, they were unable to take advantage and put the gas pedal down when taking an early advantage. Over the last six minutes, Westcliff outscored the Bucs 15-5 to tie the contest after one period 17-17.

In the second quarter it became a see-saw battle with both teams holding the lead at points within the quarter. Ultimately, poor shooting by both squads resulted in the half ending as it started, with a tie, this time 29-29.

The third quarter saw both teams come out with some pep in their step as they continued to battle for the lead, but the Bucs aggressiveness in driving the basketball earned them eight more free throws as they won the quarter by six taking a 45-39 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Park Gilbert looked as though they might pull away as they scored the first four points of the final frame to take a 10-point lead with 7:38 to play. But just as they did in the first quarter, the Bucs squandered their advantage, allowing the Warriors to go on a 12-0 run to take a 51-49 lead.

After Park tied the game at 51, Westcliff took a four-point lead with 3:02 to go after a made three and a foul led to a four-point play.

Again, trailing and with things looking bleak, the Bucs put the clamps down on defense and did not allow another basket for the remainder of the game, holding the Warriors to 0-5 shooting down the stretch and forcing three turnovers.

Offensively, the Bucs outscored the Warriors 9-0 down the stretch as Kayla Schroeder made her second three-pointer of the game to the game at 55, then a layup by Faith Watkins gave Park its first lead since 4:10 of the quarter. Jayla Reliford and Schroeder made free throws down the stretch to seal the game away and give Park another important road win.

After shooting 50 percent from the floor in the first quarter, the Bucs struggled shooting 38 percent the rest of the way. The Bucs made three trifectas in the first quarter but was held to only two made threes the rest of the game. The Bucs defense is what kept them in the game as they did not allow the Warriors to shoot better than 37 percent in any quarter and held them to 34 percent for the game.

Individually, Jazmine Jenkins led the team in scoring with 14 points. Reliford and Schroeder each had 13 points as the Bucs get contributions from different players every game. Madison Chappell posted her first double digit rebounding game of the year, leading the squad with 12 boards. Reliford had five assists.

 The Bucs now return home for two games against Simpson and UC Merced on Thursday and Saturday January 11 and 13. Both games are slated to start a 5:30 p.m.