Park University's men's basketball program have playoff aspirations on the line and came through when it counted against Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. on Wednesday night, claiming the 88-81 victory.

Park is now on a four-game win streak and have put themselves in a good position at No. 8 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings. Park jumps to 12-15 on the year and are now 10-13, while Missouri Valley is the No. 9 team at 11-16 and 10-13 of the same.

In this league all one should look at is the conference records. With one more game to go in conference play, Park has a tie breaker with Missouri Valley in head-to-head matchups. All eyes will be on the Grand View and Missouri Valley game Saturday, as well as Park's matchup with Culver-Stockton. Grand View is currently the No. 7 with an 11-12 conference record.

Park's Jasigha Barnes brought the juice in the early going for Park with five points out of the gate, including a made three to start the game. AJ Watson joined the three train and made it 10-7 with 15:37 in the first half. After a 5-2 run, created by a Jaden Robinson basket and another Barnes three-pointer, the Pirates were up 10 points, 15-5. The Vikings came back to bring it within three points and Watson was there again for a three-pointer to keep Missouri Valley trailing by six. Augusto Hausmann and Robinson went to work down low to put Park up seven points at the 7:13 mark, 25-18. A 10-0 run would ensue for Park moments later off of four Missouri Valley turnovers for a 14-point lead with 3:01 left, 37-23. Park would only add to this as Watson had another five points to close out the half, 42-27.

The Pirates were able to maintain over a 10-point lead until the 15:44 mark brought on by a 7-2 run by the Vikings. The Pirates fired back with a 14-2 run, highlighted by three-pointers from Kelyn Bolton and Watson to gain a 19-point lead at 12:12 remaining, 62-43. Down the stretch, seven points by Barnes and six points by DeMarcus Hudson helped keep the wheels turning. Park maintained a double-digit lead until inside a minute, as back-to-back threes by the Vikings made it a five points game with 35 seconds left, 83-78. Hudson, Barnes, and Watson took care of free-throws to prevent the Vikings from completing the comeback, 88-81.

Park shot 57.4-percent from the field, while Missouri Valley shot 43.8-percent.

The Pirates shot 50-percent from beyond the arc, eight-of-16, while Missouri Valley was 12-of-27 or 44.4-percent.

The Pirates and Vikings were close in turnovers with only one more turnover by Park then Missouri Valley, 19 to 18. The Pirates used those turnovers to their advantage though with 27 points compared to 18 points off turnovers by Missouri Valley.

Park was able to take the lead and not look back with zero lead changes or ties in the entire game.

Barnes and Watson played their roles well with 22 and 21 points scored. They also led in assists with six and five, respectively.

It was an even rebounding performance by Park with four Pirates with five or more rebounds, but no one had more than six.

Christian Bradford and Hausmann led the rebounding effort with six boards. Bradford had nine points off the bench to help his team's cause.

The second half was Hudson's main impact with 12 second half points and had 16 for the game.

Park will recognize their five seniors on senior day directly before tip-off with Culver-Stockton College around 5pm on Saturday, February 24. WATCH
Box Score