BOX SCORE
AZUSA, Calif. --- Biola came back from a 25-point second-half deficit and took a brief lead, but another questionable call gave Azusa free throws with under five seconds left as the Cougars knocked of the Eagles, 71-69 Monday night in Azusa.
Biola drops to 15-15 on the season and wraps up GSAC play in 7th overall in the conference at 9-11. No. 12-ranked Azusa improves to 24-6 and secures fourth place with a 14-6 conference record.
Solomon Mercado, playing in his final regular season game, scored 20 points, while Lafayette Lofton added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Danny Jones scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Azusa received 15 points from Demario Butler, who also had four assists and five steals. Scott Zea scored 14 points and had three blocks in his final regular season game.
Biola put together a rally for the ages in the second half after falling behind 43-20 at halftime. The Cougars got the drop on things with a 25-6 run to open the game, commiting just one turnover in the first half and shooting 50-percent from the field.
However, the second half was all Biola. The Eagles cut the lead down to 13 at 58-45 before going on a 15-2 run to tie the game at 60-60. After a made basket by the Cougars, Jones came down and hit a layin and was fouled. After converting the free throw, Biola took its first lead at 63-62 with 3:20 to go.
After Butler put Azusa back on top with a pair of free throws, Biola came back down on a fast break looking to take the lead back. But the two-on-one was broken up by Khalif Ford and turned into a three-pointer by Zea to put the Cougars back up by four.
Moments later the Eagles were still trailing by three with under a minute to go, but for the second straight night Mercado drained a long three with 35 seconds to go to tie the game.
After Biola's defense nearly forced a turnover, a loose-ball foul was called on the Eagles' Marlon King with five seconds left, sending Todd Martin to the line for a one-and-one. Martin converted both free throws to give Azusa a 71-69 lead.
Mercado then came down and threw up an off-balance three as time expired, but it fell well short giving the Cougars the win.
Despite the loss, the Eagles head to the GSAC playoffs on Thursday (Mar. 1) where they will face the No. 2 seed San Diego Christian College at 7:30 p.m.
