LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Senior forward Megann Alberts scored a game-high 21 points, but it was not enough to overcome an off-shooting and turnover-plagued night as Biola fell 74-65 to California Baptist University in a GSAC game Saturday night.

The Eagles, who entered the game ranked No. 18 in the latest NAIA ratings, fall to 12-5 on the season and to 5-4 in conference play. The Lancers snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 12-7 overall and to 4-5 in the GSAC.

The loss extended Biola's struggles at home where they have lost three of four GSAC games while going 4-1 on the road. The high-pressure defense of the Lancers forced the Eagles into 24 turnovers in the contest which led the 26 Cal Baptist points. That, coupled with a 38 percent shooting night, were more than Biola could overcome in the game. 

The game got off to a bit of a slow start as each team struggled to score early on. Trailing 9-8 eight minutes into the contest, Biola hit three-straight, unanswered three-pointers—two by freshman guard Charrise Reece—to take a 17-9 lead. But the Lancers stepped up the defense and used a 17-4 run over the next six minute to take a 26-21 lead five minutes before half. 

Biola managed to tie the game and trailed by just one at 28-27 with under two minutes to play before halftime. But Cal Baptist then went on 11-1 run which spanned the half capped by a three-pointer from Heather Couzens to make the score 39-29 three minutes in. Biola closed the gap to one over the next six minutes, making it 44-43 on a three-pointer by Alberts. However, Cal Baptist stretched the lead back up to seven over the next three minutes. 

The Eagles pulled within one point on two more occasions over the final four minutes, but were unable to get any closer as Cal Baptist converted on all but one free throw down the stretch to seal the deal. The Lancers converted 21-of-23 free throw attempts in the game.

Reece scored 11 points and added three assists for the Eagles. Sophomore guard Jenna French added 10 points before fouling out late in the contest. She was one of three Biola players to foul out. Sophomore forward Jessilyn Conicelli scored nine points and had 10 rebounds, but played just 23 minutes before fouling out. She was joined by sophomore center Christina Barclay, who scored eight points and also 10 rebounds before picking up her fifth foul.

With most of their inside players in foul trouble, Biola failed to outscore its opponent in the paint for the first time on the season, scoring just 16 points in the lane to Cal Baptist's 18. 

The Eagles will look to rebound from this tough loss on Tuesday (Jan. 27) as they travel to Fullerton to take on Hope International University in a GSAC game at 5:30 p.m.