LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Sophomore forward Jessilyn Conicelli recorded game-highs of 12 points and 12 rebounds, adding four blocks and three assists to lead Biola to a hard-fought 68-47 non-conference win over Ashford University (Iowa) on Wednesday night at Chase Gymnasium.

The Eagles improve to 6-3 on the season with their second-straight victory and drop the Saints to 7-9.

Conicelli continued her mastery of the boards and helped keep Biola in the game despite poor first-half shooting. She was joined in the effort by Jennifer French, who recorded 11 rebounds including seven on the offensive glass. Overall, the Eagles held a 60-40 rebounding edge including a 29-15 advantage in offensive rebounds as Biola outscored Ashford 21-8 in second-chance points.

The Eagles had a tough time in the first half, hitting just 26 percent from the field and committing 13 turnovers. Neither team was able to score early on as the game got off to a sluggish start. Biola finally got on the board on a jumper by French at the 17:24 mark. The Eagles stretched the lead up to 8-0 until the Saints were able to recorded their first basket, a three-pointer by Michelle Woolley with 13:08 left in the half. 

Biola would work the lead up to as many as 12 in the first period as a jumper by Conicelli gave the Eagles a 21-9 lead with 6:03 to go. Ashford closed the gap a bit as Biola took a 25-16 lead to the locker room. Despite a sloppy first half, the Eagles allowed just five points of those 13 turnovers while scoring 12 off 14 by the Saints.

In the second half, Ashford came out firing, closing the gap to 30-24 with a short run though the first three minutes of the period. Biola responded with a 6-0 run of its own thanks to four points from freshman guard Charrise Reece and a jumper by Alberts. Later in the half, the Eagles broke the game open with a 13-2 run capped by an Elise Paty three-pointer which made it 54-31. Ashford would get no closer than 18 the rest of the way as the Eagles cruised to the win.

Reece was one of three players in double-figures for the Eagles, scoring 10 points and adding seven steals and four assists. Sophomore center Christina Barclay recorded 10 points as well and had nine rebounds, three blocks and an assist.

The Eagles had a strong game on the defensive end with an impressive 13 blocks in the game, 16 steals and 24 forced turnovers. They also held Ashford to just 27 percent shooting and to just 47 points.

Biola returns to action on Saturday (Dec. 20), hosting NAIA foe Ottawa University (Kansas) in a non-conference game at 3:00 p.m. at Chase Gymnasium.