LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Sophomore Jessilyn Conicelli scored six of her team-high 21 points over a four minute stretch as Biola erased a 13-point deficit with eight minutes to play en route to a 61-56 upset win over No. 5 Azusa Pacific on Tuesday night at Chase Gymnasium.

The Eagles improve to 9-3 on the season and to 2-2 in GSAC play. They also move to 4-1 in games against ranked teams this season. The Cougars drop to 11-3 overall and are also 2-2 in conference action.

With 7:30 to play, Biola came out of a timeout with a big hill to climb, trailing 52-39. But Conicelli went to work, scoring on three straight possessions to pull the Eagles back within seven just over 1:15 later. After the Cougars' fourth straight turnover, sophomore forward Jennifer French came down, hit a jumper and was fouled. She converted the three-point play to make it a four-point lead at 52-48 with 5:11 to go. 

Azusa Pacific committed yet another turnover on the offensive end and things began to unravel for the visitors. Senior forward Megann Alberts came back down, hit a driving lay-in and was fouled by Kristie Hala'ufia. The junior center, who was having a frustrating night already, compounded things by being whistled for a technical foul. Alberts converted both technical free throws and completed the three-point play to give Biola a 53-52 lead. 

Briana Hall finally ended the scoring drought for the Cougars, hitting one of two free throws to tie the score at 53-53 with 3:57 to play. But freshman guard Charrise Reece came right back down, split through the APU defense and put Biola back on top for good with a driving layup. Just over one minute later, Conicelli hit a jumper to make it a four point lead. 

With one minute to play, Biola was put on the line by the Cougars. The strategy nearly paid off as Reece missed a pair of free throws, but the Eagles managed to snag the rebound. Freshman guard Lauren Gustafson was then fouled with 37 seconds to play but also missed both freebies. However, she was bailed out by Conicelli, who grabbed the offensive rebound. Finally, junior guard Chelsea De Luca converted a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left to make it a six points game.

Azusa Pacific made things interesting in the final seconds as Jessica Raber converted a three-point play with 10 seconds to go, then forced a Biola turnover on the ensuing inbound play. However, a three-point attempt by the Cougars' Alex Moore-Porter--who finished with a game-high 22 points--missed wide. Reece then sealed the deal with a pair of free throws. 

Biola actually had the better of play in the first half, jumping out to an early 13-4 lead. APU cut the lead to 13-12, but could not take the lead back the rest of the half.

Conicelli had an impressive night for the Eagles, scoring 21 points and hitting 10-of-14 shots from the field. She also had nine rebounds and added five steals. Reece also had a great game for Biola, scoring 12 points and adding three steals and as many assists. 

Biola also did an amazing job on the Cougars' leading scorer, Hala'ufia. The junior came into the game averaging over 17 points, but was held to just 10 on 4-of-16 shooting. The Eagles also forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 29 points.

The victory was the first by the Eagles over the Cougars since November 29, 2005, when Biola scored a 92-91 overtime win in Azusa. It also snapped a 12-game home losing streak to the Cougars. Biola's last victory over APU in La Mirada was on January, 27, 1996, when the Eagles won 80-71 at Chase Gymnasium. 

Biola returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 10), traveling to San Diego Christian for a GSAC contest at 5:30 p.m. in El Cajon.