Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- After its last performance it was improbable, seemingly impossible, that Biola would be able to walk away with a win over one of the top teams in Canada on Monday night, but they did.
 
The Eagles stuck in there, even after falling behind by nearly 20 points, and after forcing a bunch of turnovers and hitting some key field goals and free throws late took down the Vikes of University of Victoria, 69-61.
 
Tonight's loss dropped the Vikes to 12-2 as they started their quick California road trip 0-1. They face Concordia tomorrow afternoon. Biola gets a great comeback win to move to 9-5 on the season.
 
"It was a nice night," said Head Coach Dr. Dave Holmquist. "It was a long Christmas break for everyone after our last game. The bounce back is really encouraging for everyone. Last game was easily our poorest of the season, so I was encouraged by our defense."
 
Tonight's come-from-behind victory was made much sweeter because of the performance it followed up. Biola lost by nearly 30 points just over one week ago to a team that has lost to the Vikes.
 
It was not all roses throughout the contest, as the Vikes seemed to have the upper hand through most of the first half. They utilized spot on shooting and fantastic inside play in order to build a substantial lead at the midpoint of the half.
 
After a Terrell Evans three-pointer the Vikes had a 26-15 lead with just under six to play in the half and the game seemed to be slipping away from Biola. With the deficit still at 11 with just under five minutes left in the half, Holmquist had to call a timeout to regroup.
 
Whatever was said at the break shored up the Biola's defensive effort as they rattled off five straight points to bring the difference to just six, same as it would be at halftime.
 
It was the Vike big man, Chris McLaughlin, who made all the defense for UVIC in the first half, with 10 points and five rebounds, and throughout the game, as their leading scorer.
 
The Eagles found a way to slow him just enough midway through the second half, so they could begin their improbable comeback.
 
"Whenever he (McLaughlin) was coming across the lane we were trying to prevent him from getting the ball in good positions," said Holmquist. "Early on we were giving him too many good chances."
 
The defense had plenty of good moments and great schemes throughout the game, but especially in the Eagles' fantastic second half. They led the rebound battle by 12 (38-26) and the also forced the Vikes to cough the ball up 19 times.
 
"Our defense had some sequences in the second half when they played really well," said Holmquist. "It was a good team effort. After being down by six at halftime we came out in the second half and played our best ball."
 
The momentum shift began with just inside of 12 minutes left. After UVIC built its advantage to 12 points (47-35), Dakari Archer used his speed and agility to penetrate the paint and sink a layup to start the Eagles down a 18-5 run that was capped by a go-ahead layup from Caelan Tiongson.
 
After this sequence the Eagles had their first lead since eight minutes into the game. The Eagles had the upper hand and the whole arena knew it.
 
"Dakari's (Archer) penetration was great, it created things for himself and for others," said Holmquist. "It is not reflected in the statistics, but Caelan gave us a big lift in the second half with his strong defense and energy."
 
The energy was apparent as the Eagles began force more mental blunder by the Vikes as the game progressed into its waning minutes. After attaining the lead, Biola only relinquished it one more time throughout the last four and a half minutes and eventually rode some solid free throw shooting to the big win.

Pierre Zook led Biola with 18 points and Archer fell just three assists shy of his first career double-double, garnering 17 points and seven assists.

Biola hits the hardwood again after the New Year, facing off with the University of Saskatchewan at home Jan. 2.