SANTA CLARITA, Calif. --- Despite holding a dominating edge inside, foul trouble and free throws proved to be the difference as The Master's College pulled off the 73-65 upset over No. 7 Biola in a GSAC game on Tuesday night at Bross Gymnasium.
The Eagles drop to 11-3 on the season and see their five-game winning-streak snapped. Biola also falls to 3-2 in GSAC play. The Mustangs improve to 11-3 and to 4-1 in conference action.
Biola received 16 points and 13 rebounds from Jessilyn Conicelli--her ninth double-double of the season--while Jennifer French picked up her first with a 10-point, 10-rebound effort.
However, the biggest factor in the close contest proved to be at the charity stripe where the Mustangs converted 30-of-36 from the line while the Eagles hit just seven of their 15 attempts.
The game got off to a rough start for Biola as the Eagles hit just 3-of-16 from the field in the opening eight minutes, though they were still leading by one early on. A layup by French gave Biola a 24-20 lead with six minutes left in the half, but the Mustangs responded quickly with a 10-0 run over the next four minutes. The Master's would head to the half with a 30-28 lead.
In the second, the teams went back and forth until the Mustangs broke the ninth tie of the game with an 8-0 run to go on top 49-41 with 10:55 to go. Biola fought back and eventually tied the game at 51-51 and took a three-point lead on a layup by French with 3:57 to play. The Master's answered back with a three by Erica Inge to tie the score for the 12th time.
The Mustangs would go ahead for good with 3:07 left in the game as Theresa Brown drained a pair of free throws. That was followed a three-pointer by Ella Joines after a defensive stop. Biola would get no closer than three the rest of the way.
The Master's Theresa Brown led all scorers with 20 points, adding 10 rebounds. Twelve of those points came from the free throw line where she converted on all 12 of her attempts. Inge added 18 points with 11 coming from the charity stripe.
Biola center Christina Barclay scored 13 points but struggled in the opening half, going 1-of-6 from the field and picking up two quick fouls. In the second, she went 5-for-5 and was dominant inside, but fouled out with two minutes left.
The Eagles were able to outbound the Mustangs 49-40 and held a 23-6 edge on the offensive glass. Biola outscored TMC 32-20 in the paint and held a 25-7 edge on second-chance points.
Biola looks to get back on the winning track on Saturday, hosting San Diego Christian College in a GSAC game at Chase Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
