MESA, Ariz. - With a strong effort on both ends of the floor, the Redhawks defeated Park University-Gilbert, 65-49, Saturday night at Bell Bank Park. The Redhawks are now 4-8 overall and 2-4 in Cal Pac play.

Damian Zivak provided the spark for the Redhawks scoring 14 points in the first half to push BenU up, 30-25. Zivak netted four shots from beyond the arc and went 5-7 from the field. That gave the Redhawks offense confidence and momentum to start the second period. Zivak finished with 23 points for first 20+ point performance of the season.

Michael Kirkland brought an energetic presence to the floor from the start. Kirkland logged the Redhawks first bucket of the game and posted seven points, two rebounds, and an assist his first rotation in the game. Kirkland finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block.

The offenses battled in the first half, both jockeying to sustain a lead. As the first period wound to a close, 3-pointers from Zivak and Kirkland helped the Redhawks build a lead, but it was Zivak's three point shot to tie the game at 19-19 that changed the momentum of the game. The Redhawks would hold the lead through the rest of the contest with the largest lead being 20 points.

Tre Carolina added 8 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in the game. Jamaal Wright finished 7 rebounds. Tanner Crawford had 10 rebounds, 7 defensive and 3 offensive.

The Redhawks hit 25-of-56 field goals (44.6%), 10-of-24 three-pointers (41%), 5-of-10 free throws (50%), and had 41 rebounds to the Buccaneers 41 rebounds.  The Redhawks committed 12 turnovers and stole the ball 6 times.  The Buccaneers made 24-of-69 shots (34.8%), 1-of-12 three-pointers (8.3%) and 0-of-8 free throws (0%). The Buccaneers committed 11 turnovers and stole the ball from the Redhawks 6 times.

UP NEXT

The Redhawks will take a break from Cal Pac play to host Northern New Mexico on December 29th and 30th inside the Coyote Center. Tip off for the 29th is set for 4 p.m. and the 30th for 3 p.m.