by Drew Welsh

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University defeated Australian visitor Box Hill 71-46 at Chase Gymnasium Wednesday night in the Eagles' final exhibition game of the season.

Senior Jennifer French led the way for the Eagles with 14 points, while Jessilyn Conicelli chipped in with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Box Hill's Emily Schill dropped in a game-high 15 points.

The Eagles gave their bench players a chance to shine on the evening, starting four players that had yet to make a start this year. Each player on the team played at least nine minutes as much of the starters earned a much-needed break before resuming conference play.

In the first half, the Eagles had a bit of trouble finding the net, hitting just 38 percent in the first half, but took a 32-20 lead into the break.

Box Hill began the second half with three consecutive baskets provided by Schill, cutting the 12 point deficit in half. The upstarts from down-under were unable to maintain the momentum for long however, as Biola used a prolonged 20-11 run to take control at 52-27 with 7:24 left in the game.

Jennifer French solidified the victory late in the second half with back-to-back-to-back triples in the span of 54 seconds. No Biola player recorded less than nine minutes of action.

The Eagles outshot Box Hill 42-34 percent for the game, but nearly doubled-up the Aussies on the glass, holding a decisive 51-26 rebounding advantage.

Biola (6-1, 1-0 in conference) returns to the court on Saturday in Riverside, CA against conference foe California Baptist University beginning at 5:30 p.m.