The Park University men's basketball program was in Lawrence, Kan. for three days of the Ernie Stevens Jr. Classic on Friday through Sunday. Park lost their opening two games against Haskell Indian Nations University and (RV) Soutwestern College (Kan.), and finishing with a win over Four Winds University.

Park goes to 1-4 on the year, falling in two games that were one possession games on the season.

Haskell | L, 78-80 | BOX SCORE

It was a steady half by Park to start the tournament with Haskell with a lead throughout the first 20 minutes. An 8-2 run, including a three by Mikkel Cintron lifted Park to an 11-point advantage 37-26. This line continued in the last five minutes of the first half, 44-33. 

Park stayed out front for the majority of the second half and had the answer through the first 10 minutes against Haskell. Otavio Armani even tacked on a layup at 9:21 to give Park a 16-point lead, 68-52. With seven minutes remaining this game turned abruptly with 10 unanswered points for Haskell in about a minute and a half, 68-62. Haskell was in it every step the rest of the game with three big three-point shots along the way. Haskell took the lead with 1:11 left on free-throws, 75-74. Crawford hit a pair of free-throws for Park and Amaire Perkins tied the game at 78 with five seconds left with a lay-in. A foul on Park would send Haskell to the line though as time expired for the 80-78 win. 

(RV) Southwestern | L, 51-72 | BOX SCORE

Park was held to its lowest point total of the season at 51 points against Southwestern on Saturday. The Moundbuilders remained a perfect 4-0 on the year. 

Two threes and dunk started the game for Southwestern, while Jamaal Davis and Bayley Crawford had back-to-back scores to tie at 8-8. Three consecutive three-point plays for Southwestern gave them a 9-0 run and by 9:28 they built an 11-point lead, 24-13. Threes by Tyler Burrows helped Park get back within seven with 5:50 to play, 29-22. Park got within four points, but the Moundbuilders kept seven points of separation to end the first half, 36-29.

The second half was less favorable for Park, shooting 30-percent, while the Moundbuilders were at 59-percent. Three-point shooting slowed down at two-of-eight for both sides. Burrows led Park on the game with 20 points and was a sensational five-of-seven from deep. Still with only 22 points as a team in the second half, while Southwestern matched their first half total with 36 for the win, 72-51.

Four Winds | W, 106-80 | BOX SCORE

Park scored more points in the first half than their previous game the day before and eventually scored their highest point-total of the season against Four Winds on Sunday for Park's first win of 2025-26. 

Park quickly shot out of a cannon with an 8-0 run to begin the game. back-to-back layups by Armani and two triples in a row by Tristan McRoberts gave Park a 22-12 lead at the 14:35 mark. The lead would grow to 17 at the 7:42 mark after a bucket from Perkins and an and-one from Burrows. Park kept their foot on the gas for a 23-point first half lead, 59-36.

There was little resistance in the scoring realm and this high-scoring affair was stopped at 106-80 when it was all said and done. Park was 50-percent from the field and landed six three-point attempts and was an excellent 16-of-18 from the free-throw line. 

Overall for the tournament, Park was led by Burrows, Crawford, and Armani offensivley. Burrows averaged 15.7 points per game and Crawford was right at that mark as well at 15.3, while Amrani crossed the double-digit threshold at 12.3 points per game. 

Burrows and McRoberts were the deep threats with nine and four three-pointers, respectively. 

Armani led Park with seven rebounds per game and was Park's leader with seven steals.