BOX SCORE

FRESNO, Calif. --- Biola University's starting five scored a combined 62 points, but that was all the offense the team could muster as the Eagles fell 72-62 at Fresno Pacific University on Tuesday night.

Sophomore Megann Alberts had game-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Eagles, who fall to 7-9 on the season and 3-5 in GSAC play. Katie Williams had 18 points off the bench to lead the Sunbirds (13-5, 4-5 GSAC).

The Biola starters played the majority of the game while the reserves attempted just one shot and played a combined total of 29 minutes. However, the starters played so well, they nearly got it done on their own.

Sophomore Summer Matthews continued to impress in her third game back with the Eagles, scoring 16 points and adding six rebounds. Senior guards Rochelle Rausch and Mandi England scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, with England adding seven rebounds.

Fresno Pacific used and 11-0 run over a three-minute stretch to break a 10-10 tie and give the Sunbirds a 21-10 advantage. The Eagles closed the gap to three at 23-20, but it was the closest they would get for the rest of the game.

In the second half, they would again close the gap to five on three different occasions, the last coming at 57-52 with 7:11 remaining. However, Fresno Pacific used an 8-0 run to take its largest lead of the game at 65-52 and cruised to a 10-point victory.

Biola had a great night from the free throw line, converting on 16-of-16 attempts from the charity stripe--all in the second half.

The Eagles return home on Saturday (Jan. 20) for another GSAC contest, this time squaring off with No. 1-ranked Vanguard University at 5:30 p.m.