BOX SCORE
LA MIRADA, Calif. — Danny Jones scored 17 points and added 15 rebounds and Rocky Hampton added 13 points and two blocks as Biola pulled off its second win over an NAIA Top-10 Ranked team in two weeks, beating No. 9 California Baptist 58-50 in a GSAC game on Saturday night at Chase Gymnasium.
The Eagles improve to 15-10 on the season and 7-8 in GSAC play with their fifth win in their last seven games. The Lancers, who entered the contest in sole possession of first place in the conference, drop to 19-4 and 11-4 in the GSAC.
Jones and Hampton provided the bulk of the offense, but it was the defense that clamped down on the Cal Baptist offense, which entered the game averaging over 76 points a contest. The Eagles held the Lancers to just 26 percent from the field. Biola's defense held Cal Baptist to just 29 points through the first 30 minutes of the game before the Lancers found their stroke and made the final score close.
The Eagles fell behind early as Cal Baptist scored 10 of the first 12 points of the game. Biola took its first lead at 14-13 nearly halfway through the first period on a jumper by Jones. The Eagles extended that lead to as many as seven before heading to the locker room with a 26-21 advantage.
The Lancers opened the second half with a three-pointer by Mark Roussin to make it a two-point game, but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way. Biola responded with eight-straight points to lead 34-24 just three minutes into the second half. The Eagles took their largest lead of the contest at 44-29 at the halfway point as Andrew Schroeder converted a three-point play.
Cal Baptist made the score close down the stretch as Marquis Kennedy hit a three to make it 49-38 with 4:17 to play, then stole the ball and was fouled intentionally Marlon King on the next possession. After he converted the two free throws, the Lancers kept the ball and Michael Brewer made it a four-point possession by hitting runner in the lane to bring Cal Baptist within seven at 49-42 with 3:35 remaining.
Biola responded with a 7-1 run capped by a monster slam by Hampton to stretch the lead back to 13 at 56-43 with 53 seconds to play. Despite a frantic finish by the Lancers, the Eagles cruised to the eight-point upset win.
Schroeder finished the game with eight points, converting two three-point plays and going 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. He was one of three inside players to help the Eagles hold a 40-24 advantage in rebounds and a 28-10 edge in points in the paint.
Kennedy led the Lancers with 14 points while Dave Cernin added 13 and Mark Roussin contributed 12.
The Eagles return to action on Tuesday (Feb. 19) as they take on Westmont in what should be a big GSAC contest at Chase Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.
