Park University's women's basketball program has now won two home games in a row in Breckon Sports Center after their most recent victory against Bethel College (Kan.) on Saturday, defeating the Threshers 69-57.

Park is now 2-1 through their non-conference schedule, while the Threshers move to 0-5 on the year.

It was interesting to see the former MidAmerica Nazarene University and NAIA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame Coach, Rocky Lamar on the bench as the interim coach for Bethel. Lamar left MidAmerica Nazarene 10^th all-time in the NAIA in wins with 803.

Coach Norman Kenneth Cooper Jr. is the all-time winningest head coach at Park and is in his 15^th season.

Coach Cooper's crew led by one-point at the end of the third quarter, 50-49, but definitively pulled away in the final quarter of play, outscoring Bethel 69-57.
The fourth quarter began with three lead changes out of the gate six lead changes in the first four minutes of play, but after Makayla Artis took back the lead with two free-throws, the Pirates took care of the basketball for the 12-point win.

Under five minutes left in the game, Bethel went on a scoring drought and did not make another bucket, while the Pirates continued to widen the gap, as Nadiyah Cooper and Paige Scott made it 65-57 after a two-point shot and a three-ball with 2:50 left to play.

Four Pirates were in double-figure scoring. Cooper led with 15 points, followed by Emma Perry's 14, Scott's 11, and Artis' 10-point performance.

Artis reached a double-double with 14 rebounds in the game, while Cooper and Perry were only two rebounds off of double-doubles themselves at eight boards apiece.
All three of the starting Park guards had four assists, including Cooper, Perry, and Scott.

Bethel was seven-of-30 from deep, while the Pirates doubled their three-point percentage with a seven-of-16 day from three. From the field, Bethel was slightly better at 35-percent compared to Park's 33-percent.

The free throws were completely lopsided for these teams, as Park was 18-of-30 from the line, while Bethel only had two free-throw attempts and made both. This may have impacted things late in the game, as two Bethel starters fouled out before the end of regulation.

It was big difference in rebounding as Park had 23 offensive boards to nine offensive rebounds for the Threshers. Overall, Park outrebounded their opponent 57 to 32.
Turnovers were about even, 15 for Park and 14 for Bethel.

The Pirates start Heart of America Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, November 13 at 5:30pm against No. 23 Grand View University in Breckon Sports Center. WATCH
Box Score