The Park University women's basketball program was in Breckon Sports Center on Saturday and a close game sided with the Pride, 75-71.

Park moves to 8-15 on the year with a 3-13 Heart of America Athletic Conference record, while Clarke goes to 13-11 and 9-7 in the Heart.

The Pirates had one of their highest scoring quarters in recent memory with 27 points to open the game. It included 10 points from Nadiyah Cooper and eight points from Jordan Bianco, as the Pirates were three-of-six from deep with these two. Pair that with good defense that caused nine first quarter turnovers by the Pride and you got a 27-19 first quarter lead.

Park kept it going in the second quarter with an 8-0 run over the first two minutes of the quarter. Clarke stayed in it though and chipped away and got it to a 11 point game at the half.

An 8-2 run to begin the second half for Clarke got things back within five points at 8:13 in the third quarter. Park stayed in the fight and good defense by both sides had the offenses of each team at 28-percent in the third quarter. 

Both teams got into some foul trouble, which amounted to 12 free-throw attempts by Park and 15 for the Pride. Neither side improved their shooting percentage in the fourth quarter, as Clarke was only at four-of-15 and Park was three-of-14. At the line, the Pirates let some points slip away at seven-of-12, while the Pride capitalized largely on free-throws at 14-of-15. The presence of Nevaeh Spillman created favorable matchups for Park, as she co-led the scoring effort with Cooper with 20 points. Spillman also had a double-double with 10 rebounds, but in the closing minutes she fouled out to take away a key offensive and defensive piece for the Pirates. In the end, the Pride got their first, second half lead with 3:51 to go. Bianco tied the game with a pivotal layup with 54 seconds left, but Clarke responded with an and-one that solidified the win, 75-71. 

Park shot 38-percent from the field, while Clarke was at 35-percent. Both teams had four made three-pointers, but 31-of-35 in free-throws from the Pride made a big difference. Park was 17-of-25. 

Both teams were even in turnovers at 22 with Clarke scoring 20 points off turnovers and Park with 19. Park's largest lead in the game was 16 points, but the Pride finished with their largest lead of four points.

Three starters had three assists in the game, including Bianco, Marina Perdiguero, and Charleece Davis. Cooper led the charge in assists with four. Perdiguero and Bianco were just behind Spillman with eight and seven rebounds, respectively. 

Alexus Woodard had good production off the bench with six points to match Perdiguero, while Davis led teh Pirates with five steals and contributed five points.

Park will be on the road for their next few contests, starting with Grand View University on Wednesday at 5:30pm in Des Moines, Iowa. WATCH
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