Women’s Basketball Falls to Park

Lamoni, Iowa. - The Graceland University Women's Basketball team took on the Park University Pirates. The Yellowjackets were defeated by the Pirates, 64-61. Moving to 9-11 on the season and 7-9 in the Heart

Graceland (9-11, 7-9) | Park (10-10, 7-9)
Quarter 1: Graceland 19 | Park 14
Graceland would work a 6-0-point lead early, with baskets from Avery Walker-Henry (four points) and Trinity Greenwood (two points). The Pirates would even the score 8-8, and Greenwood would break the run with a layup. A jumper by Heaven Mbaruk would push a seven-point jump; Bryanna Griffiths would contribute. Alana Swift would close the first quarter with a jumper to lead by five (19-14).

Quarter 2: Graceland 12 | Park 17
Alana Swift would break the two-minute deadlock from the line (20-14), and Bryanna Griffiths would follow from the deep. Both teams would trade baskets. The Pirates would close their gap to one point and take the lead from the line (29-29). Griffiths would sink a basket from the arches for the lead, and Park would even the score heading into halftime, 31-31.

Quarter 3: Graceland 15 | Park 16
Park would continue adding a four-point jump to lead by four. Alana Swift (jumper) and Avery Walker-Henry (three-pointer) would even the score (37-37). Park would retake the lead. Graceland would work to close their deficit to one point, ending the third quarter 47-46, with baskets from Mbaruk, Sophia Rodriguez, and Swift.

Quarter 4: Graceland 15 | Park 17
Park would work an eight-point jump to add a nine-point lead (57-48), and Janiyah Davis would break the run with a jumper. Alana Swift would follow to drain a layup. Free throws from Camry Dillie would close the deficit to three points. Park would drain three moments later and hold the advantage for the remainder of the fourth quarter to take the 64-61 victory.

By the numbers:
25-23 – Graceland's field goals compared to Park
5-5 – The Yellowjackets three pointers compared to the Pirates
42-37 – Graceland had 42 rebounds and Park had 37 rebounds
18-17 – The Yellowjackets would sink 18 bench points compared to the Pirates 17 bench points

Graceland Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Alana Swift – 15
Rebounding Leader: Heaven Mbaruk – 10
Assist Leader: Alana Swift – 7
Steal Leader: Sophia Rodriguez / Trinity Greenwood / Alana Swift – 2

Park Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Emma Perry – 20
Rebounding Leader: Makayla Artis – 11
Assist Leader: Taylor Shelby – 3
Steal Leader: Angel Wiggins – 6

Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will be back on Monday, January 29 when they travel to take on the Benedictine College Ravens. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm.

-Yellowjackets-