The Park University women's basketball program had a test at home against No. 11 MidAmerica Nazarene University on Wednesday night in Breckon Sports Center, as the Pioneers separated themselves in the second half for the 10-point win, 63-53.

Park moves to 13-9  on the season with a 10-8  conference record, while MidAmerica Nazarene is at the top of Heart of America Athletic Conference play at 20-2 on the season and 18-0 in conference.

Emma Perry got off to a good start in this one with a steal two minutes into the game that led to a Makayla Artis layup to tie the game. Perry came back with a three-pointer the following possession, courtesy of a Paige Scott steal and assist. It would be a close contest through and through and eight first quarter lead changes took place. At 2:02, Park's Scott landed a three-pointer to take a 14-13 lead, which was immediately answered by a Pioneer three. MidAmerica Nazarene would push up to a 6-point lead under 30 seconds, but Perry thought she would trim the lead down more with a three-pointer before the quarter's end, 20-17.

It would be three minutes before Park would score in the second half, but it came in a pair of baskets, as Perry made the first Park jumper of the second quarter and Artis would cut the deficit to one, 22-21. Jordan Bianco made some key offense and rebounds in the second quarter and gave the Park a lead with two driving layups at the for the 25-22 lead at the 4:58 mark. In all, the Pirates extended to their largest lead of five points after an Alexus Woodard layup to complete an 8-0 run. A switch was flipped though and the Pioneers went on a 10-0 run with two three-pointers to take the lead with 37 seconds to go, 32-27.

The third quarter started off on the right foot for the Pioneers and in just two minutes reached a nine-point lead. Park showed life with a Nadiyah Cooper and-one, followed by a Spillman bucket to get to a two possession game with 4:42 to play, 40-36. The lead would remain true for the Pioneers, but Cooper was the sparkplug again with a free-throw, steal, and fastbreak bucket to get back within four points. Kiersten Robbins made an excellent post-move when her number was called to get Park within two points, 45-43 with 1:32 to play. Another round of three-pointers came in before the third quarter ended, including another trey by Perry. MidAmerica Nazarene had one free-throw tacked on with 55 seconds to go in the third quarter for the 49-46 lead.
MidAmerica Nazarene had another strong start to the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to reach 56-46. Artis and Marina Perdiguero got three points back on free-throws, but Park was without a field goal until the three minute mark by Robbins to make it 58-51. Time was ticking away though and the Pioneers were five of their last six free-throw attempts to close the game, 63-53.

The Pioneers shot 38.6-percent from the field, while Park was at 32.8-percent. MidAmerica was above 30-percent from beyond the arc at seven-of-22 compared to Park's five-of-19 of the same.

Both teams had similar percentages from the free-throw line, but the Pioneers had more opportunities at 12-of-18 to Park's eight-of-13.

20 turnovers for the game came in for the Pioneers and Park was close to that number with 18.

Both teams were equal in a high, 18 points off of turnovers. The Pioneers had a substantial advantage in second chance points, 13 to four.

Points in the paint and fastbreak points were even, while Park had the advantage with eight more points from the bench.

Park was led by Perry with 11 points, but she was the lone Pirate across the 10-point threshold. Perry and Artis were matched at six rebounds each, but Jordan Bianco from the bench led with seven rebounds.

Scott was the assist leader with six, but Perry and Cooper had four and three each.

As you would expect from Pirates, the Park Pirates had all but two players in the lineup earn a steal.

It will be a road contest Saturday, February 1 for Park, as they face Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. at 2pm. WATCH
Box Score