Fullerton, CA - The Hope International University women's basketball team (6-9, 0-3 GSAC) fell to the Park-GIlbert Buccaneers in a 84-64 loss this Saturday afternoon at home in the Darling Pavilion.

The Royals, Mia Heidt, opened up the scoring with a layup followed by two free throws at the top of the quarter. However, the Buccaneers took control with an incredible 60% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. The Buccaneers increased the lead scoring 26 points to the Royals 10 points with 2:13 left in the first quarter. The Royals guard, Aliyah Gonzalez, answered with a three pointer advancing the score to 26-13 with 1:00 to go. In the second quarter the Buccaneers continued to increase their lead while their full court defense forced turnovers keeping the Royals at bay. With 4:45 left in the second quarter the Buccaneers were up 33-17. Amira Austin disrupted the Buccaneers offensive run with a layup bringing the score to 33-19 with 4:27 left to play in the first half. In the closing minutes of the second quarter, the Royals found some rhythm as Heidt scored back to back layups, Andrea Javier scored a basket in the paint, and faith Brinkman knocked down a buzzer beating three pointer. Despite the Royals offensive flow the Buccaneers entered halftime with a 44-31 advantage.

The Buccaneers wasted no time immediately scoring a three pointer to start the third quarter. The Royals, Faith Brickman answered with a three pointer of her own, igniting energy from the Royals bench. The Buccaneers continued to lengthen their lead until a three pointer from Gonzalez and two free throws from Brinkman following a technical foul brought the game to 61-48 with 3:12 to go in the third. Another free throw by Gonzalez would bring the Royals within 12 points, however, the Buccaneers answered with a 7-0 run giving them a 19 point lead with 17 seconds left in the quarter.

Again, it was the Buccaneers who began the final quarter with another 7-0 run bringing the score to 75-51 with 7:26 remaining in the game. The Royals fought hard offensively, highlighted by a layup and three pointer from Brickman, along with free throws from Kennedy Pucci and Natalie Acuna. However, they could not break the Buccaneer's 19 point lead. The Buccaneers finished the game with 84 points to the Royals 64 points defeating the Royals and securing their second conference win. Faith Brinkman recorded 16 points 6 rebounds, Mia Heidt 12 points 12 rebounds, and Alyiah Gonzalez 11 points 6 rebounds. 

The Royals continue GSAC Conference play on the road as they face the Arizona Christian University Firestorm on Thursday January, 16th in Glendale, AZ.