The Park University women's basketball program was in Breckon Sports Center on Saturday, February 21 for Senior Day against MIssouri Baptist University. The Pirates came up short against the Spartans, 53-49.

Park recognized five seniors, including Jordan Bianco, Nadiyah Cooper, Sheridan Curley, Marina Perdiguero, and Alexus Woodard.

Park finished the season at 9-18 and 4-16 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. New to the Heart is Missouri Baptist and they won both against the Pirates this season with a 13-13 overall record and a 12-8 Heart record.

Neither team was especially on from distance as only a combined five three pointers went down. 

The Spartans at multiple points in the game though showed that they were able to rebound off of the offensive glass, which included some favorable bounces as well. Overall the Spartans had 20 offensive rebounds with 49 total rebounds for the game, outrebounding Park by 16. The Pirates usually are a great offensive rebounding team in their own right and they were effective with 11 offensive boards.

Park was looking poised for a senior day victory with a 33-19 first half lead, but the tide was turned in the second half. Park in the second quarter shot it at their best with a 5-of-10 rating from the field and 11-of-12 in their free-throws.

The second half was a slowing of the offense for Park with only 17 second half points. That along with Missouri Baptist improving their shooting to 10-of-23 from the field helped fuel their comeback. 

The Pirates had 25 points off of turnovers on 29 turnovers from the Spartans. On the flip side, Missouri Baptist scored 10 points off of 23 Park turnovers. 

It was a good matchup with 10 lead changes in the game, but the closing minutes sided with the Spartans, 53-49.

Cooper led Park with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. 

Charleece Davis was next in scoring with 11 points on five rebounds, four assists, and five steals.

The seniors provided great defense, including multiple steals by Bianco, Perdiguero, and Woodard.

Nevaeh Spillman was also effective with nine points, five rebounds, and four steals for the game.