The Park University men's basketball program was in Olathe, Kan. in a Heart of America Athletic Conference contest with the Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene University on Wednesday evening. Park with a good start and a halftime lead, were unable to get anything going in the second half as MidAmerica Nazarene squeaked out the 53-49 comeback win.

Park goes down to 9-14 on the year with a 6-9 Heart of America Athletic Conference record. This slumb marks a four-game losing streak for Park and the team's woes on the road is starting to bud its head with a 1-8 away record. The Pioneers are middle of the road at 12-11 on the year with a 7-8 Heart record as well.

Both sides got things going with threes in the opening minutes, as three combined three-pointers by both sides were made in the first 3:11. Mikel Cintron struck from deep to make it 3-2, but two threes by the Pioneers made it 8-3. Down nine at the 13:42 mark, Park got to work, beginning with a Tyler Burrows free-throw. Then Cintron's bucket, along with a layup by Mannie Odo got Park within four points, 16-12. An 8-0 run by Park garnered momentum, as Otavio Armani hit a three and Odo connected on an and-one to make it 22-21 Pioneers with seven minutes on the clock. All of a sudden though the Pirates kicked it into gear with a 10-0 run to make it 32-24. The Pioneers were 0-5 in that five minute stretch and after another bucket by Tristan McRoberts and a three by Armani, the Pirates took the 37-27 halftime lead. 

The defense for Park remained strong in the second half and through the first four minutes the Pirates put up eight points, including a triple by Cintron at 15:57. Things would come to a screeching halt offensively for Park though. Armani would score at 13:31 and then Amarie Perkins would go up an under for the Pirates' last score at 5:40. Park would only allow 26 second half points to the Pioneers, but a 19-4 scoring run for MidAmerica Nazarene would be enough for the Pioneers to win, 53-49. To be fair, neither offense was having their kind of night and with the score tied at 47-47 at the 9:12 mark only a combined eight points would be scored the rest of the game.

The Pioneers were only at 30-percent shooting for the game, while Park had a slight advantage at 36-percent. Park was four-of-19 from beyond the arc, while the Pioneers were sitting at 11-of-35. 

Only a combined nine free-throws were attempted on the night for both teams. Park was three-of-six and the Pioneers were two-of-three.

Turnovers were also low with less than eight for either side.

Odo was Park's leading scorer off the bench with 11 points, while Cintron and Armani reached double-figures with 10 points apiece.

Armani had a double-double with 14 rebounds in the game and Kromah was next in line with seven boards. Kromah led the Pirates with four assists and Armani had a respectable three assists as well.

The Pirates are back in Breckon Sports Center against Clarke University on Saturday, February 7 at 2pm. WATCH
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