BOX SCORE

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Despite a game-high 17 points from sophomore Meghan Alberts, Biola was unable to hold off a feisty Hope squad, falling 62-57 Tuesday night at Chase Gymnasium.

Biola drops to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play with the loss while Hope improves to an identical 3-2 and 1-1 mark.

The Royals were led by the 15 points of Sara Lycans-Roy and 14 points and 13 boards of Jasmine Nault.

While the Eagles managed to turn the ball over just 16 times and shot 35-percent from the field, the problem was at the free throw line. Biola struggled from the charity stripe, converting on just 9-of-17 attempts.

Hope jumped out to a quick 9-1 lead in the game and led by as many as nine before Biola chipped away and took its first lead at 17-16. It was a short-lived lead as Hope went on an 8-0 run to regain its edge and held a six-point advantage at the half.

In the second, Biola once again took a one-point lead at 40-39, but again Hope went on a run, outscoring the Eagles 11-3 over the next two minutes.

Biola made the game close late, closing the gap to three with 24 seconds left on a great steal and three-pointer by senior Rachel Dulin. But Hope made its free throws down the stretch to win going away.

Senior Rochelle Rausch had 13 points and four assists for Biola with Elise Paty scoring 12 points off the bench.

The Eagles return to action on Thursday as they travel to San Diego to face off against No. 11 Point Loma Nazarene at 5:30 p.m.