LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Despite an impressive performance by senior forward Rocky Hampton, who had 26 points and 10 rebounds, a depleted Biola squad suffered a tough 76-75 overtime loss to its arch-rivals Azusa Pacific University in the GSAC Tournament semifinals on Saturday night at Chase Gymnasium.

The Eagles, seeded No. 2 in the GSAC Tournament and ranked No. 5 in the final NAIA National Poll, fall to 27-5 on the season with the loss while the Cougars, the No. 3 seed in the tournament and No. 15 team in the NAIA, improves to 23-9.

Hampton led the way for Biola with his 12th double-double of the season, hitting 11-of-17 for a game-high 26 points and adding 10 rebounds, two blocks and an assist. However, his normal supporting cast inside was a bit banged up. Junior forward Josh Miller did not dress due to sickness and his replacement, sophomore David Cline was just getting over being sick the last few days.

Cline finished with a game-high 13 rebounds for the Eagles and played 32 minutes. Junior forward Andrew Schroeder is also recovering for a slight ankle sprain and was limited to just 14 minutes.

Despite the setbacks, Biola managed to play a solid game throughout, dominating in nearly every offensive category. Biola shot 51 percent from the field to APU's 43.6, outrebounded the Cougars 37-33. But Azusa Pacific hits nine three pointers to the Eagles' five, barely edged out Biola in free throw shooting and committed just 11 turnovers while forcing 14.

Biola got off to a quick start in the game and lead throughout the first half. The Eagles jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead, scoring on their first four possessions including an impressive three-point play by Campbell.

Biola opened its lead up near the midway point, using a 7-0 run to turn a five-point lead into a 24-12 advantage with 7:10 to go in the half. Still trailing by 12 with 5:44 remaining, Azusa Pacific mounted a quick 11-0 run capped by eight-straight points from Dominique Johnson to go up 26-25 with 2:07 left. Hampton came right back down and converted a three-point play, then added a jumper on the Eagles' next possession to give Biola a 31-25 halftime advantage.

Azusa Pacific kept the score close through the opening minutes of the second half, but Biola used a six-point run near the 15-minute mark to extend the lead up to double-figures at 45-34. The Cougars again answered back, slowly chipping away and taking their first lead of the game on a Dominque Johnson' jumper to make it 50-49 with 7:34 to play.

Biola still trailed by one at 52-51 one minute later, but stole the lead right back on a three-pointer by Danny Campbell. Hampton blocked a shot by Johnson on the ensuing APU possession and Marlon King took it the other way for the easy layup, putting Biola up 56-52 with 5:44 to go.

From there it was anyone's game as the teams went back and forth over the final five minutes. Dominque Johnson looked to have put the game away for the Cougars with a three-pointer at the 1:49 mark, putting APU up 65-62. But a missed three-point attempt and two missed free throws by the Cougars kept the lead at three.

With just 43 seconds left, Biola had one final chance to close the gap. But after a clutch offensive rebound on a missed three-pointer by King, Campbell was fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer, sending the senior to the line for three huge free throws. Campbell calmly stepped to the line and drained all three from the charity stripe to tie the game.

Azusa Pacific had one final chance, but could not get off a shot after a mad scramble down low.

In the extra period, Marshall Johnson's jumper put Azusa Pacific up 69-67, then after a paired of missed shots from just under the basket by the Eagles, the Cougars' Reggie Owens hit a jumper to make it a four-point advantage. Biola whittled the lead back down to one on three free throws over the next two possessions and the teams exchanged buckets making it a one-point game with one minute to go.

Azusa Pacific missed a three-point chance with 35 seconds left, giving the Eagles one last opportunity to win. But after making a great move to get around a defender, junior Clay Martin lost the ball out of bounds while moving towards the open basket, giving the Cougars the ball with 17 seconds remaining.

Dominque Johnson hit a pair of free throws on the other end but again, Biola turned the ball on the ensuing possession. Owens was fouled by the Eagles and made one of two to extend the lead to four and Martin made things interesting with a three-pointer with two seconds left. But even though Mike Caffese missed both free throws on the APU end, the Eagles could not get off a shot before the buzzer sounded.

Campbell finished with 19 points, four assists and a steal for Biola while King added 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Dominique Johnson led the Cougars with 23 points while Reggie Owens added 15 off the bench. Marshall Johnson rounded out the APU scorers in double-figures with 11.

The Cougars advance to face Concordia University in the GSAC Championship game at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (March 9) at Chase Gymnasium. Concordia dispatched of Fresno Pacific with little trouble, winning 84-51 in the other semifinal.

Biola will await word on seeding at the NAIA National Tournament, virtually assured of one of the top at-large berths in the field.