Park University's men's basketball program came away with a victory when it counted the most to end the regular-season against Culver-Stockton on Saturday's Senior Day, 77-72.

With the win, the Pirates implanted themselves into the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament as the No. 7 seed. The Pirates will next play Baker University in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament on Tuesday, February 27 in Baldwin City, Kan. at 7pm.

Park's five seniors made some new favorite memories on their senior day, including the likes of Augusto Hausmann, AJ Watson, DeMarcus Hudson, Eli Habighorst, and Macio Moananu.
The Pirates have been extremely hot to close out Heart play with a five-game win streak dialed up at a crucial time in the season. Had the Pirates not won this game, because Missouri Valley won, the Pirates would have been eliminated from post-season contention. As fate would have it though both Missouri Valley and Park won to give the boot to Grand View University and slot the Pirates at No. 7 in the tourney.

The Pirates move to 13-15 on the season and 11-13 in the Heart, while Culver-Stockton will be a spot ahead of Park in the standings at 12-12 in the Heart and 14-14 overall.
The Pirates got off to a great start in the game with a 7-0 run against the Wildcats. Three seniors immediately made an impact, as Watson rained down a three for the opening points. Hausmann and Hudson then picked up off that and each made baskets within the first 2:10 of the game. A 7-2 run by Culver-Stoctkon closed the gap and were down two-points just four minutes into the game. Culver-Stockton tied the game twice before gaining a 6-point lead off of a 6-0 run at the 9:29 mark, 23-17. Park regained the lead for a possession on a Hausmann layup and a Christian Bradford free-throw at the 5:54 mark, 27-26. A three by Culver-Stockton turned the lead back to them and then a 13-2 run by the Wildcats built up their lead to 10 points with 3:10 remaining, 39-29. Both teams traded their shots and the half ended, 44-34.

Nine turnovers in the second half benefited the Pirates and allowed them to comeback from a 16-point deficit with 16:36 left in the game, 52-36. For the game, Culver-Stockton had 17 turnovers compared to only eight by the Pirates, which turned into 17 points off turnovers for Park and 10 for Culver-Stockton. At this point, Head Coach Jason Kline called a timeout to regroup his side and out of that timeout Bradford began the turnaround with a lay-in. The Pirates would go on an 8-0 run to get back within eight points. Watson had five points in that stretch, including an and-one. He would have an enormous impact on this senior day win with 18 second half points and would earn a new career-high with 30 points for the game. The Wildcats briefly returned to a 14-point lead, but an 11-2 run would get Park within five points from the Wildcats with 8:53 remaining, 60-55. After a few more exchanges, Watson scored eight consecutive points for Park to will them back into the lead with 4:43 remaining, 65-64. The Wildcats regained the lead, but not for long as free-throws by Hausmann and four points by Hudson, including a steal and dunk, got Park back in it. From there, Kelyn Bolton and Watson gave Park a three-point lead with four points inside a minute to go, 75-72. Great defense kept the Wildcats off the board and then Hudson sank the two free-throws to end it, 77-72.
Park shot 40.6-percent on the day, while Culver-Stockton was at 49.1-percent. Both teams knocked down five three pointers with similar percentages, 29.4-percent for Culver-Stockton and 31.3-percent for Park. Park also had an advantage at the line, 16-of-22 for Park and 13-of-20 for the Wildcats.

In the game, there were four ties and six lead changes.

Hudson was excellent on his senior day and paired well with Watson with 22 points of his own. He led Park with five assists, while Jasigha Barnes and Watson each had four assists.

Hudson and Bolton were active defensively with four and three steals, respectively.

The Pirates go to Baldwin City, Kan. on Tuesday at 7pm to open Heart post-season. WATCH
Box Score