JACKSON, Tenn. --- Senior Megann Alberts and sophomore Jessilyn Conicelli each scored 16 points to lead Biola University to a 65-57 upset win over No. 9 Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.) on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the 2009 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Tournament at the Oman Arena in Jackson.

The Eagles (20-11) are a No. 6 seed in the tournament field and were ranked No. 21 in the final regular season poll. The Trojans, who reached the NAIA Championship game last season, fell to 25-8 overall. They were a No. 3 seed in the NAIA tournament and No. 9 in the final poll.

The victory was the first NAIA Tournament win for the Biola women's basketball program which is making its fourth appearance at the championships. It also gives the Eagles their first 20-win season since 2003-04 and just its third in the last 19 seasons. They have won 20 games just 10 times in the program's history.

Conicelli scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds--14 points and 11 rebounds of which came in the second half--to pace the Eagles. Alberts also had a strong game, scoring 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, pulling down eight rebounds and adding five assists. 

Freshman guard Charrise Reece contributed 14 points for the Eagles, dishing out five assists and adding two steals and four rebounds. Sophomore forward Jennifer French rounded out the Eagles in double-figures by scoring 11 points on the strength of three three-pointers.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the game with neither shooting better than 30 percent in the first half. Biola took advantage early, taking a 13-8 lead on a three-pointer by Reece midway through the period. Trevecca rallied back and took its first lead of the game at 16-15 on a pair of free throws with 4:34 to go before the half. The Eagles would head to the locker room still down by one at 22-21.

Biola hit just 28.6 percent from the field in the first half, but kept the game close by holding the Trojans to just 20 percent shooting.

In the second half, both teams found their strides, battling back and forth through the first five minutes of the period. Trevecca broke a 33-33 tie with a short 7-2 run to go up 40-35 eight minutes into the half. The Trojans stretched the lead to six two minutes later on a deep three-pointer by K.C. Van Atta, going up 43-37 with 11:17 to play.

But then, Biola charged back, using an 11-2 run over the next five minute to take back the lead at 48-45 with 5:54 to play. The run was capped by a three-pointer by freshman guard Emily Drews and a pair of buckets by Conicelli. The Trojans answered back with on a pair of baskets by Jennifer Bognar to go back on top by one.

With 2:30 to play, the score was tied at 52-52. After a missed shot by the Trojans, Biola came back down and took the lead for good on a long three-pointer by French with 2:08 to play. Trevecca turned the ball over on the next possession and Conicelli made them pay, hitting a jumper in the lane off a a great pass by Charrise Reece.

On the other end, Trevecca Nazarene tried to close the gap but a three-point attempt rattled off and Alberts was there to secure the rebound. She was immediately fouled and headed to the line but missed the front end of the one-and-one. A great play by French helped Biola secure the offensive rebound and on the following in-bounds pass Reese was fouled and sent to the charity stripe. She also missed the front end of the one-and-one, but Conicelli swooped in and secured yet another offensive board and drew a quick foul.

This time Conicelli drained both free throws to stretch the lead up to seven with 45 seconds to play. Biola would hit its remaining six free throws to fight off a last-minute run by the Trojans and secure the victory.

"This was an emotional win for us," said Head Coach Ken Crawford. "We've lost some close games down the stretch, but they were calm tonight, hit their free throws and played well down the stretch. As for our program, this was a milestone. We are excited and are going to enjoy it, then turn around tomorrow and try to do it again."

Alberts, Biola's lone senior, has been on the squad with Crawford over the last three seasons when Biola won a total of just 28 games. She could hardly contain her excitement after the game.

"This feels better than I thought it would," said Alberts. "The team played so well out there today. Everyone is always telling us we are a young team. But we aren't young anymore. We've made it to the national tournament, played a game and won that game. To be able to say that and to be a part of this is so incredible."

Biola will now face Lee University (Tenn.) in its second-round game on Friday (Mar. 20). The Lady Flames (29-5) won the Southern States Athletic Conference regular season title to earn a berth to the NAIA tournament. They have won 10 consecutive games including a thrilling 63-62 win over Evangel College (Mo.) in their first round game. Lee's Valeriya Musina scored on a driving layup and was fouled with 1.5 seconds left. She converted the free throw to seal the deal.

The Lady Flames are making their seventh NAIA Tournament appearance and their fifth-straight. They are 2-5 in tournament games overall and have not advanced past the second round of the tourney.