SANTA CLARITA, Calif. --- Biola overcame a 15-point first-half deficit with one of its best second-half performances this year, defeating The Master's College in a must-win GSAC game on Tuesday night at Bross Gym in Santa Clarita.

The Eagles improve to 17-10 on the season and move to 12-6 in conference play. Biola clinches fourth place in the GSAC with two games left on the schedule and a first-round GSAC playoff game for the first time since the 2001-02 season. The Mustangs drop to 15-11 and to 10-8 in the GSAC.

Junior center Christina Barclay had one of the best nights of her career, scoring 16 points and adding 16 rebounds in 27 minutes. At the break, Barclay had just four points after a pair of early fouls kept her on the bench for much of the first half. However, she responded in a big way to secure her fourth double-double of the year.

Junior forward Jessilyn Conicelli also picked up a double-double--her 12th of the season--recording 14 points and 13 rebounds in the game. She also had five assists, three steals and a block.

The first half was a bit of a disaster for the Eagles, who shot just 33 percent in the opening period and did not score its first point until the 12:42 mark. Biola started out 0-for-6 with 10 turnovers over the first 7:18 before a jumper by Barclay ended the drought. But the damage had been done as by that point the Eagles were down 15-0.

Nothing seemed to be going right for Biola in that opening period as they were unable to get the score under double-digits and headed to the half down 36-25.

But the Eagles made a 180-degree turn in the second half. Biola opened the half with a three-pointer by Jennifer French to finally get the deficit below 10 at 36-28. At the 14:13 mark, Elise Paty drained a trey to make it a three-point game, then hit another one just one minute later after a three-point play by The Master's College.

Charrise Reece then was fouled on a driving-layup attempt and drained two free throws at the 11:59 mark to give Biola its first lead of the game at 46-45. After exchanging leads over the next eight minutes, the Eagles took the lead for good on Paty's fourth and final three-pointer to go up 60-59 with just 4:09 to go.

Still leading by one with 2:14 to go, Barclay hit a tough layup in the paint to give Biola a three-point lead, then pulled down a defensive rebound on the other end leading to a three-pointer by French to give Biola a 67-61 lead with just 1:32 remaining. After a missed three-point attempt on the other end, the Eagles sealed the deal as Reece hit a pair of free throws to stretch the lead up to eight with one minute left.

Biola hit 47.4 percent (18-of-38) in the second half and pulled down offensive rebounds on 13 of its 20 missed shots to add 14 second-chance points. Six of those field goals came from beyond the arc as the Eagles hit 6-of-15 from three-point land in the second half. Biola also took care of the ball much better in the second half, committing just nine turnovers after 15 in the first half.

Reece finished with 12 points for Biola on 3-of-6 shooting while Paty added 12 points off the bench.

Annie Gillespie led the Mustangs with 19 points.

The victory over The Master's give Biola its first sweep of a season series over the Mustangs since the 1995-96 season, prior to TMC joining the GSAC. It was also just the Eagles second win at The Master's in the last 14 games and their second-straight at Bross Gym.

Biola needs just one victory in its final two games to finish with its best conference record since joining the GSAC in 1994-95. The previous best finish was 12-8 in 2001-02.

Biola closes out the home portion of the regular season schedule on Saturday (Feb. 27), hosting California Baptist University in a GSAC game at 5:30 p.m. The game is part of Homecoming 2010 Weekend and the game is expected to bring a packed house. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to get the best seats.