BOX SCORE

JACKSON, Tenn. --- Jessilyn Conicelli scored 13 points and Richae Kater added 10 points as No. 25 Biola battled tough against NAIA Defending National Champions and current No. 1-ranked Union University (Tenn.) before ultimately falling 66-45 on Saturday night in the final game of the 2009 Rotary Classic hosted by Union.

The Eagles wrap up the Classic with an 0-3 record, though they did face three of the top 10 teams in the NAIA. The Bulldogs finished a perfect 3-0.

Biola hung well with Union through the first half of  the game and held a lead late in the period. The Eagles took their first lead of the game at 20-19 with just over nine minutes left in the half on a three-pointer by Emily Drews. They maintained the lead over the course of the next five minutes, extending it to as many as four against the top team of the nation on a Charrise Reece jumper to make it 24-20 with 6:33 left.

The Bulldogs would fight back though and rattled off a 15-0 run over the next six minutes and headed to the half up 35-27.

In the second half, the Eagles were able to cut the lead to eight early on, but could not get much closer as Union held on for the 66-45 win.

Biola returns home for its home opener on Tuesday (Nov. 24), hosting cross-town rival Whittier College in a non-conference contest at 7:00 p.m. in Chase Gymnasium.