LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola's run in the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as No. 6 seed Concordia dealt No. 3-seeded Biola a 70-62 loss in the conference quarterfinals at Chase Gymnasium.
Biola drops to 25-6 and now will await word on placement for the NAIA Tournament which begins March 16 in Jackson, Tenn. Concordia improves to 16-11 and advances to face the No. 2 seed Cal Baptist in the GSAC Semifinals on Friday.
Jessilyn Conicelli, playing in her final game at Chase Gymnasium, led the way for Biola with 22 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, four assists and two blocks. It was her 15th-straight double-double and 25th of the season.
Jennifer French added 15 points and nine boards while Christina Barclay scored eight points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
However, Biola shot just 30 percent in the contest--its third-lowest shooting percentage on the season--while Concordia shot 40 percent and hit nine three-pointers.
Nicole Fu had a monster night for Concordia with 26 points and 11 rebounds, adding four assists, two blocks and a steal. Britnie Priest contributed 19 points and had two steals in 19 minutes.
Biola got off to a fast start as French hit back-to-back three-pointers in the first 50 seconds of the contest. But Concordia answered back with three straight threes to take back the lead at 9-6.
The teams went back and forth for the next eight minutes with Biola taking back the lead and going up 18-13 on a bucket by Charrise Reece in the lane. Concordia scored the next six points to take a one-point lead with 9:05 but French answered back with a three-pointer to put Biola right back on top.
Biola still held a 27-23 lead with 4:55 to go in the first half when Concordia went on the offensive, using a 7-0 run to take a 30-27 lead with under a minute to play. A steal and fast-break lay-up by French made it a one-point game at the half.
In the second period, Concordia maintained its lead but still led by one at 37-36 five minutes in. But a three-pointer by Priest keyed an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to put Concordia on top 48-38.
Biola mounted a quick 6-0 run to pull within four at 54-50 with 6:04 to play, but Priest answered right back with a three on the ensuing possession. Biola would mount one final run and got back with four with under 20 seconds remaining, but after a pair of free throws by Fu, a three-point attempt by French missed and Concordia sealed the victory with two more free throws.
Despite the loss, Biola is all but assured a spot in the NAIA National Championship Tournament which runs March 16-22 at the Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn. The Eagles will be making their program-best third-straight trip to the NAIA Tournament. Pairings for the tournament will be announced on Wednesday, March 9.
