Editor's Note: This is the first in a 10-part series recapping the top 10 sports moments of the 2009-10 year at Biola as compiled by the Biola Sports Information Office. A new moment will be revealed each day with the top moment of the year announced on Friday, June 18. See the bottom of the page for a schedule of releases.
Led by 24 points and 16 rebounds by junior
Jessilyn Conicelli, Biola's women's basketball pulled off a stunning upset of No. 2 Point Loma Nazarene University 81-72 at Chase Gymnasium on December 12.
The Eagles came into the game struggling, having lost four of their first six games with all of the losses coming to teams in the NAIA Top 10. On the other end of the court, Point Loma had been cruising and recently knocked off then-No. 2 Vanguard the previous week.
Biola completely dominated inside, outrebounding the Sea Lions 50-26 including a 21-8 edge on the offensive glass. Junior post
Christina Barclay managed to hold PLNU's All-American forward Colleen Planeta to just 15 points—most of which came late in the contest.
After a back-and-forth first half, Biola pulled away midway through the second, outscoring the Sea Lions 21-9 over an eight-minute stretch to take a commanding 71-60 lead with 4:20 to play. Point Loma would close within four late, but the Eagles sealed the victory by converting all eight free throw attempts over the final minute.
The ramifications of the victory were not immediately apparent that early in the season, but the win kept Point Loma out of a three-way tie for the top spot in the GSAC at the end of the year. It also gave Biola a key boost and helped the Eagles start an impressive stretch where they won 10 of their next 12 games.
Biola's women's basketball team would finish the season at 20-12, reaching the NAIA National Tournament for the second time in as many years.
COMPLETE GAME STORY |
GAME BOX SCORE
Top 10 Moments of 2009-10
#1 – Friday, June 18
#2 – Thursday, June 17
#3 – Wednesday, June 16
#4 – Tuesday, June 15
#5 – Monday, June 14
#6 – Friday, June 11
#7 – Thursday, June 10
#8 – Wednesday, June 9
#9 – Tuesday, June 8
#10 – Women's Basketball Knocks Off No. 2 Point Loma Nazarene
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