LA MIRADA, Calif. --- A total of 17 home games and tough non-conference tournament highlight the 2009-10 Biola University Men's Basketball schedule released by Head Coach Dave Holmquist on Tuesday afternoon.
The Eagles, who reached the NAIA Tournament for the first time in four seasons, hope an advantageous schedule helps them make a return trip in 2009-10. Biola plays 17 of its 30 games at home including eight of nine games through December and the beginning of January.
The season kicks off early this year as Biola hosts Holy Names University on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
The Eagles then travel north to Azusa Pacific for the APU Classic on Nov. 13 and 14. Biola will face a pair of top teams in the NAIA Division II rankings at the classic, starting with Evergreen State College (Wash.) on the 13th. The Geoducks reached the NAIA Division II Tournament for the second time in school history and return the bulk of the players from that team. On Saturday, Biola faces off against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.), a team which has reached the NAIA Division II Tournament 10 times.
After a trip north to face California Maritime Academy on Nov. 21, the Eagles return home to begin GSAC play. Biola's first contest could be one of the biggest of the season, hosting defending GSAC regular-season champion Fresno Pacific University on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The Eagles travel to Costa Mesa to face Vanguard University on Saturday, Dec. 5, then return home to begin an unprecedented seven-game home stand during the month of December against Point Loma Nazarene University on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Biola rings in the new year with a home date against the University of Redlands on Jan. 2, then re-enters GSAC play with a battle against arch-rival Azusa Pacific University in Azusa on Jan. 5.
The Eagles welcome the Cougars to Chase Gymnasium for the second rivalry game on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Biola wraps up the home portion of the regular season with its homecoming game against California Baptist University on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The night will also be Senior Night.
Biola University hosts the 2009-10 GSAC Tournament semifinals and finals on Saturday, Mar. 6 and Tuesday, Mar. 9.
The Eagles return their top six players from last season's squad which went 22-10 and reached the NAIA Tournament for the first time in four years. Biola has also added four high-level transfers to the mix and hopes to make a repeat appearance in 2009-10.
CLICK HERE for the complete 2009-10 Biola University Men's Basketball Schedule.
