LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Despite trailing by as many as 23 points in the first half, Biola staged an impressive comeback, pulling to within six late in the game before ultimately falling 89-78 to No. 5 Vanguard in a GSAC game on Saturday night at Chase Gymnasium.

The loss drops the Eagles to 13-8 on the season and to 9-4 in GSAC play, while the Lions move to 15-2 overall and to 11-2 in conference action.

Junior forward Jessilyn Conicelli scored a game-high 23 points and added 16 rebounds to pace Biola's efforts. She had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the second half of the contest. Conicelli was one of four Eagles in double-figures with junior post Christina Barclay adding 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting and contributing eight rebounds.

The Lions dominated the game from outside, connecting on 14 three-pointers in the game including nine in the first half. The nine treys combined with 15 of Biola's 20 turnovers helped Vanguard jump out to a big early lead.

The Lions used an early 10-0 run to jump out to a 12-4 lead  just five minutes into the game. Biola closed the gap to four over the next three minutes, but Vanguard erupted with a 20-4 run over the course of the next six minutes, hitting five three-pointers over that stretch including four on consecutive possessions to start the run. The Lions would take their largest lead of the game on a deep three by Amber Neves to go up 46-23 with 1:31 to go in the first half, and led by 21 at the break

In the second half, Biola came out fired up and was able to slowly cut the lead down to 12 at 57-45 with strong defense and just one turnover over the first seven minutes. However, Vanguard quickly responded with a quick seven-point run to stretch the lead back to 19. Biola still trailed by 19 as Neves hit the final of her six three-pointers to put the Lions up 79-60 with 4:57 to go.

That's when Biola made one final run. The Eagles stepped up the defense and went on a 15-2 run over the next four minutes, pulling within six at 81-75 on a jumper by Charrise Reece with 1:01 to go. The biggest play over that stretch came from Conicelli, who somehow worked out a five-point play on solid individual effort. She started the stretch by getting fouled while hitting a jumper in the lane. After missing the free throw, she battled to get her own rebound and was fouled again on the putback. This time she converted the freebie to wrap up five points in a one-second stretch.

However, the Lions converted seven of their eight free throws down the stretch to seal away the victory.

Vanguard had five players reach double figures, led by 21 points from Neves off the bench. Neves was 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, adding three free throws in the game. Bridgette Reyes added 16 points while Jaclyn Blied scored 14.

Junior forward Jennifer French scored 14 points and added six rebounds for the Eagles, while senior guard Chelsea De Luca added 12 for the Eagles.

Biola managed to shoot 41 percent in the game though Vanguard hit 46.7 percent from the field including 48.3 percent from three-point range. The Eagles connected on 20.8 percent from long range and hit just 58.6 percent from the charity stripe, much lower than its season average of 72 percent coming in.

Biola returns to action on Tuesday (Feb. 9), hosting arch-rival and No. 9-ranked Azusa Pacific University at Chase Gymnasium. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. All fans in attendance must have a ticket. For ticket information, visit http://athletics.biola.edu/news/2010/2/4/GEN_0204104958.aspx.