Box Score COSTA MESA, Calif. --- It was ugly early on, but Biola pulled back into it late in the second half and ended up losing by just 20 points at Vanguard. 
 
The Eagles rode some fantastic shooting in the final 20 minutes to outscore Vanguard in the second half of the losing effort. It was not enough to make up for Biola's 27 percent shooting in the first half.
 
Vanguard built its lead by scoring early and often, getting a 12-point advantage in just the first five minutes of play. A key to their success was pinpoint three-point shooting that saw them earn 27 points from behind the arc in the first half.
 
Preston Wynne was the most impressive of all the Lions, shooting 6-12 from behind the line and leading all players with 23 points. Chris Gorman also scored over 20 points for Vanguard, riding his 9-10 free throws to 22 points.
 
Vanguard's 56 percent shooting helped them build a 22-point lead by the time halftime came. Mike Kurtz was the only one who did much of anything for Biola in the first half. The big man picked up eight points, shooting 50 percent and draining all four of his free throws.
 
The second half saw the Lions jump up quickly and extend their lead to a game-high 28 points. The Eagles' best stretch of the game came when they had a 10-2 run to bring them back within 18 points.
 
Cody Wittick had four of Biola's points during that stretch, his only four on the night. Andre Murillo was the leading scorer for the Eagles, putting in 15 points and bringing down four rebounds. Kurtz was second on the team with 12 points, and added 10 boards to get his second double-double of the season.
 
The loss drops Biola to 11-7 (1-1 GSAC) and helps No. 20 Vanguard improve to 15-2 (2-0 GSAC). The Lions had four players hit double-digit scoring.
 
Biola returns to conference action on Tuesday night when they host San Diego Christian at 7:30 p.m.