BOX SCORE

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Senior guard Mandi England and junior forward Megann Alberts scored 15 points each as Biola defeated the Melbourne Roos 63-54 in an exhibition game on Monday night at Chase Gymnasium.

The Eagles, who were playing their third game in four days, played outstanding defense and took care of the ball to defeat the traveling team from Australia.

England was 6-for-10 from the field for Biola and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. She also added four steals and two rebounds in 30 minutes. Alberts scored 15 points and had five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.

Biola trailed 30-28 after halftime despite shooting nearly 42 percent in the first half. However, the Eagles got things going in the right direction with a quick inbounds play leading to a wide-open layup to England just four second into the second half. That play ignited a 15-3 run by Biola to open the half.

The Roos, playing with just seven players, closed the gap and took a one-point lead at 51-50 with 6:35 remaining. But the Eagles clamed down on defense and outscored Melbourne 13-3 down the stretch to pull out the victory. Sophomore guard Chelsea De Luca helped secure the victory with a key steal with the Eagles leading 59-54 with 1:35 to go.

Junior forward Summer Matthews had another strong defensive night, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with her four points.

Biola committed just 22 turnovers on the night while forcing 25 from Melbourne. The Eagles scored 19 points off those 25 turnovers.

The Roos were led by Kelly Bowen, who scored 18 points and had eight rebounds. Claire McLeod added 11 points.

Biola returns to action on Thursday (Nov. 15) for its first official home game of the new season, hosting Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) at 5:30 p.m.