Box Score COSTA MESA, Calif. --- Biola got off to a hot start and the defense was solid throughout, but the offense struggled down the stretch as the Eagles were unable to pull off the upset, falling 43-38 to No. 10 Vanguard in a GSAC game on Saturday night.
The Eagles suffer their second-straight loss and drop to 12-8 and to 4-6 in GSAC play while the Lions improve to 15-3 and to 9-1 in conference.
Lauren Gustafson led Biola with 12 points, adding four assists, three steals and three rebounds in the contest. Adijat Adams added nine points.
However, the Eagles overall struggled from the field, hitting just 25.5% including a 22.2% clip in the second half.
While the offense struggled, the defense shined, holding one of the conference's highest-scoring teams to a season-low 43 points. That helped the Eagles stay in the game and nearly pull off the upset.
Biola started out the game red-hot, hitting 6-of-10 through the first 10 minutes of the game to take a 14-9 lead. A three-pointer by Emily Drews four minutes later made it an eight-point game.
But the Eagles went cold after the initial hot start with Drews' three being one of just two made field goals the rest of the half including missing their final nine shots. Vanguard took advantage of that to close out the half on a 13-2 run to lead 22-19 at the break.
The Lions stretched the lead to seven in the first two minutes of the second half, but a three-pointer followed by a jumper by Gustafson quickly closed the gap to two.
A few minutes later, Charisse Reese drained a three-pointer to give Biola a 30-29 lead with 14:51 to go. The two teams stayed close the rest of the way with the Eagles trailing 38-36 with just under five minutes to play. But Biola couldn't get over the hump and Vanguard hit its free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.
The Lions normally outstanding three-point attack was a bit off on Saturday as the Eagles' clamped down on the perimeter defense. Vanguard hit 2-of-5 in the first half but was 0-for-8 in the second. The Lions also connected on just 27.6% from the field over the final 20 minutes.
Biola looks to rebound from the loss, but has a tough road, hosting No. 12 Azusa Pacific in a GSAC contest on Tuesday night. The game will be the final GSAC contest between the two arch-rivals as the Cougars leave the NAIA next year. The game is slated for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at Chase Gymnasium. Tickets are limited and fans are encouraged to purchase them at the Biola Bookstore on Monday.
