Box Score IRVINE, Calif. --- In a game that could have easily been a "trap" game sandwiched between two nationally-ranked teams, Biola kept its focus, shooting well and picking up a 66-56 win at Concordia in a GSAC game on Saturday night.
Biola improves to 14-8 with the win--its second-straight--and remains in a three-way tie for fourth in the GSAC with a 6-6 record. Concordia falls to 7-12 and to 4-8 in GSAC play.
All five Biola starters reached double-figures in scoring led by Emily Drews who had 14 points--eight in the second half--and added six rebounds, two steals and two assists.
Adijat Adams recorded her third double-double of the season with an 11-point, 11-rebound performance, also tallying the game's only block. Lauren Gustafson contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Biola shot well in the game, hotting 46.2% from the field including 50% in the first half. The defense was solid as well, holding Concordia to just 31.6% shooting and taking away the long distance threat by holding the home team to just 3-of-16 from beyond the arc.
After trailing by five early, Biola used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to take a five-point lead at 20-15 at the 10:21 mark. Concordia hung around and cut the lead to one with back-to-back buckets with 1:30 to play in the period. But Biola closed out the half with baskets by Elizabeth Munger and Gustafson to take a 35-30 lead to the break.
In the second, Biola opened the half on a 12-2 run to take a commanding 47-32 lead seven minutes in and would not look back from there. Concordia would briefly close to within 10 with 11:24 left, but Biola kept up the pressure and would lead by as many as 19 before a late rally made it a 10-point final.
Concordia hung around with 30 of its 56 points coming off of 23 Biola turnovers--12 of which were unforced errors. However, Biola used its size inside to control the boards and out-scored Concordia 17-13 on second-chance points.
The victory comes just four days after Biola's huge upset win over No. 12 Azusa Pacific University and three days before the Eagles head to Santa Barbara to face off against No. 4 Westmont on Tuesday. The Warriors, who narrowly defeated Biola in La Mirada earlier this season, suffered their first loss in GSAC play on Saturday, falling by two at San Diego Christian College. Tip-off for Tuesday's showdown is at 5:30 p.m.
