Park University's women's basketball program took down Cottey College at Breckon Sports Center on Saturday for a 58-54 win.

The Pirates tick up to 4-3 on the year and Cottey takes their second loss for a 4-2 record.

Park has had success against the Comets with a 3-0 record since 2021-22.

The game got started with a bang, as Taylor Shelby unloaded two consecutive three-point buckets for a 6-0 lead. Makayla Artis went to work in this game early on and scored six points in the first six minutes for a 16-9 lead for Park. Following a Cottey timeout a the 2:59 mark, a 5-0 run put them a possession away from Park at 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.

For the second straight quarter, Park got started with a three-pointer. Eden Billups-Campbell got things rolling with a three-pointer out of the gate in the second quarter. Angel Wiggins scored the next six points, but played a part in the next four points as well with two steals and two assists to Billups and Nevaeh Spillman. The 13-0 run to begin the second quarter prompted a full timeout from Cottey at the 5:49 mark down 29-14. It was overall back-and-forth for both teams to finish off the quarter with Park leading 35-26.

It was not the first bucket of the quarter, but Emma Perry came through with a made three-pointer on the second basket for Park of the third quarter for a 40-26 lead. After a basket by Cottey, Perry struck again with a made three for a 15-point lead at 7:33, 43-28. The combination of Billings and Spillman gave Park a 4-0 run leading to the largest margin of the game of 17-points at 47-30. As the quarter closed, Park stayed in control, 48-34.

Scoring slowed in the fourth quarter and Cottey gained some ground with a 6-2 run through nearly four minutes of play. Another two layups by Artis kissed off the glass to give Park a 54-42 lead with 5:23 remaining in regulation. Some shots started to come in for Cottey with a 5-0 run to come within seven points, 54-47. Wiggins made a pair of free-throws at the 1:54 mark. A 7-0 run ensued for the Comets with a another big three-pointer mixed in to bring it to 56-54 with 37 seconds left. Two costly turnovers for Park down the stretch allowed for Cottey to get back in it within the last 1:18 of play. Perry sank two free-throws for the game's last points and Park defense made a stand for the 58-54 win.

Artis and Shelby were leading scorers for the Pirates with 12 and 10 points, while Perry and Wiggins were effective with eight points each.

The rebounding efforts were led by Artis and Spillman with seven and six rebounds, respectively.

Shelby and Wiggins had a great game defensively with two and three steals on the night.

Shelby and Iva Drobnjak were facilitating the offense well with five and four assists, respectively.

By the end of the game, the Comets did edge Park in field-goal percentage at 48.7-percent compared to 44.2-percent for Park.

The Pirates had one more made three-pointer than the Comets with five to four, while shooting 38.5-percent from beyond the arc to Cottey's 36.4-percent.

A lot of points were left on the board for Cottey at 12-of-24 from the free-throw line, while Park made the most of their opportunities at seven-of-10.

The Pirates had 18 bench points to only two for Cottey.

Both teams capitalized on points off turnovers with 17 for Cottey and 16 for Park. Cottey also had 17 turnovers compared to 15 by the Pirates.

Park will travel to Baldwin City, Kan. on Wednesday, November 29 for their return to Heart of America Athletic Conference action with Baker University at 5:30pm. WATCH
Box Score