Embry-Riddle Eagles faced off against the Park-Gilbert Buccaneers in a thrilling game on Saturday afternoon at the Activity Center. Despite a strong start and a valiant effort throughout, the Eagles fell short with a final score of 76-73.

First Half Highlights:

• The Eagles came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Buccaneers 25-12. Mehgan Strickler led the charge with two three-pointers and a layup, contributing significantly to the early lead.
• In the second quarter, the Eagles maintained their momentum, with Riley Morris-Rexford and Jordyn Smith adding crucial points. The Eagles extended their lead to 17 points at one stage, but the Buccaneers began to close the gap, ending the half with a score of 45-33 in favor of Embry-Riddle.

Second Half Struggles:

• The third quarter saw the Buccaneers mounting a comeback, outscoring the Eagles 22-18. Savannah Huerta and Hemani Kalia were instrumental for Park-Gilbert, hitting key three-pointers to narrow the deficit.
• The Eagles struggled to maintain their lead in the fourth quarter. Despite a three-pointer from Strickler and a layup from Kate McBride, the Buccaneers' relentless offense, led by Huerta, proved too much. Park-Gilbert outscored Embry-Riddle 21-10 in the final quarter.

Key Performances:

• Strickler: Strickler was a standout for the Eagles, scoring 14 points, including four three-pointers, and contributing with eight rebounds and five assists.
• King: King added 12 points and eight rebounds, showcasing her versatility on both ends of the court.
• McBride: McBride was solid in the paint, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds.

Embry-RIddle will look to bounce back quickly as The Master's University comes to town on Wednesday evening for a 5pm tipoff.