BOX SCORE

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The good news was that Biola held Olivet Nazarene University to just 30 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The bad news was that the Tigers attempted 72 three-pointers and hit 22 in a 98-92 win over the Eagles in a non-conference game on Thursday night at Chase Gymnasium.

The game was the home opener for Biola, which drops to 2-3 on the season. Olivet Nazarene improves to 3-2 overall.

Junior forward Summer Matthews had game-highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Eagles, despite missing about eight minutes early in the second half after taking an elbow to the face. Junior post Megann Alberts had 20 points and 12 rebounds, adding seven assists, four steals and a blocked shot.

The Eagles ultimately could not keep up with the free-firing Tigers as they fired off 98 shots and forced Biola to commit a season-high 41 turnovers. Those miscues led to another 35 points by ONU. All in all, the two teams combined to score 190 points, the most combined points in Biola women's basketball history.

Hilary Disch scored 21 points for Olivet Nazarene while Courtney Henn added 20 points. 

In the first half, Biola built a 15-point lead thanks to a 18-0 over five minute span midway through the period. But the Tigers were finally able to find their shooting stroke and outscored the Eagles 39-21 over the final 7:30 of the half on the strength of 13 three-pointers.

Biola was unable to get any closer than two in the second half as Olivet's three-pointers continued to connect every time the Eagles would threaten. A quick layup by Kelsey Erickson closed the gap to two at 77-75 with 9:20 to go, but over the next two minutes, the Tigers extended the lead out to eight at 87-79.
Biola again got close as Mandi England hit a layup to the Eagles to within three at 95-92 with 1:39 to go. However, despite four different trips down the court in the final minute and a half, Biola was unable to score again.

The Eagles received strong efforts off the bench from sophomore Elise Paty and freshman Jenna French, who scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Biola returns to action on Tuesday (Nov. 20), opening GSAC play at San Diego Christian College at 5:30 p.m.