BOX SCORE

COSTA MESA, Calif. --- Playing the No. 1 team in the country without its leading scorer and biggest post threat proved to be a bad combination for Biola University as the Eagles lost 117-44 to Vanguard University at The Pit in Costa Mesa.

The Eagles, who fall to 10-18 overall and 6-13 in GSAC play, were dealt a major blow as sophomore forward Megann Alberts injured her ankle during the morning shoot around. The Lions took full advantage of Biola's loss while improving to 24-0 overall and 19-0 in conference action.

The Lions were an impressive 19-of-33 from beyond the arc on the night, including going 7-of-12 in the second half after a 12-of-21 showing in the opening 20 minutes. They also recieved 44 points from their bench to Biola's 11.

Vanguard had six of its nine players score in double-figures. Leading the way for Vanguard was its second-leading scorer Lacey Burns, who scored 24 points--16 points in 15 minutes played in the second half. The team's leading-scorer Jessica Richter, scored 20 points, capping off her evening with a nifty assist to give the Lions a 94-33 lead with 7:59 to go in the contest.

Biola's Rochelle Rausch scored 10 points to lead Biola while Summer Matthew scored nine points and added 12 rebounds.

Biola struggled from the field, shooting just 27.8-percent in the game while Vanguard hit over 67-percent of its shots. 

The 117 points were the most given up by a Biola women's team and the margin of defeat--73--was the largest as well.

The Eagles will close out the 2007 season with a trip to face arch-rival Azusa Pacific on Monday (Feb. 26). Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.