Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola overcame a 21-point, first-half deficit to beat San Diego Christian College 48-45 and clinch fourth place in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings on Tuesday night at Chase Gymnasium.
The win is the fifth-straight for the Eagles, who likely earn a rematch against the Hawks (19-10, 8-9 GSAC) in the first round of the GSAC playoffs which begin next Wednesday.
Adijat Adams scored all 16 of her points in the second half to pace the Biola comeback as the Eagles trailed 25-4 with 6:30 to go in the first half.
She was instrumental down the stretch for Biola tying the game with a bucket with 2:46 to go and giving the Eagles their first lead of the game on a layup one minute later. Biola was just 2-of-9 from the free throw line to start the game, but converted all four attempts in the final minute to seal the win.
The start of the game could not have gone any worse for Biola which had 12 turnovers in the first 12 minutes. The Eagles were just 2-of-15 to start the game before a jumper by Chelsea Hill with 5:03 to go in the first half. That bucket would start an 8-0 Biola run to end the half as the Eagles trailed by 11 at the break at 25-14.
Charrise Reece would cap the half with a great steal and tough jumper at the buzzer after a Becca DeVere Layup with nine seconds left.
The Eagles would stretch that run to 16-1 with a seven-point edge to start the second half, closing to within six on an Adams tip-in 2:30 into the period. Biola would eventually close to within one on another basket by Adams, but San Diego Christian stretch it quickly back to six with five-straight points.
Lauren Gustafson would start the final run for the Eagles by connecting on Biola's second three-pointer of the game to make it a two-point game with 4:02 to go. That started a final nine-point run which put Biola on top 46-42 on a pair of free throws by Charrise Reece with 39 seconds left.
San Diego Christian made one final run as Heather Serven hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds left to cut the Biola lead to one. After a pair of fouls put the Eagles into the bonus, Gustafson hit a pair of big free throws to make it a three-point game.
The Hawks would get two looks at quick two pointers but missed both in the lane, earning possession after the second on a jump ball with 4.1 seconds left. San Diego Christian called a timeout and drew up a final play with Brittany Robinson taking the final three-point attempt at the buzzer. However, it would miss wide left as the Eagles held on for the win.
Despite the poor early shooting, Biola finished the game shooting 33.9%, earning 22 offensive rebounds leading to 12 second-chance points. Adams had 10 of those offensive boards, recording her fifth double-double of the year with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
After the 12 turnovers in the first 12 minutes, Biola would commit just three the rest of the way while forcing 13 turnovers by the Hawks in the second half.
Brittany Daniel scored 15 points to lead San Diego Christian while Brittany Robinson added eight. The pair combined to score 40 points when the Hawks knocked off the Eagles in El Cajon earlier this year.
Gustafson was Biola's next highest scorer with seven points while DeVere, Chelsea hill and Emily Drews each added six. Reece scored five points but had seven steals and six assists.
Biola closes out the regular season on Saturday, hosting The Master's College at 5:30 p.m. San Diego Christian also plays at home, hosting Concordia on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
