Box Score ATHERTON, Calif. --- Biola battled to overcome a very rough start, but ultimately had just as rough of a last few minutes in a season-opening loss to Menlo, 63-51.
 
"Tonight was a tough game against a well-coached, veteran team," said Head Coach Dr. Bethany Miller.
 
The Eagles were plagued by a difficult shooting night, draining just 19-57 shots from the floor to shoot just over 30 percent. The Oaks shot nearly 40 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Eagles to build and sustain their lead.
 
Menlo came screaming out of the gates, building a 12-3 lead by draining 60 percent of their first 10 shots of the game. Conversely, Biola shot just 1-for-7 from the floor over that span.
 
The Eagles spent most of the rest of the half attempting to comeback from the deficit built, eventually working their way to just a four-point deficit at halftime.
 
The Oaks opened up a nine-point lead at the outset of the second half after making the first two shots of the second half within the first two minutes.
 
From 14:18 until the 9:16 mark the Eagles finally found their shooting stroke. They rode an 11-2 run to tie the game at 44. It was the first time there was a lead change since the opening tip.
 
After that run Menlo made a jumper and free throw to take a three-point lead before both teams went ice cold. No one made a single shot or free throw for a nearly three-minute stretch as the game worked its way inside of six minutes left.

An Elizabeth Munger free throw followed by back-to-back made jumpers from Menlo saw the game begin to swing into the control of the Oaks. A control they never again relinquished en route to the 12-point win.
 
"We didn't shoot the ball well. We were outrebounded and we turned the ball over too many times," said Miller.
 
Laurel Donnenwirth led all players with 17 points. She also added a stunning 21 rebounds to help the Oaks to a win in their season-opener. Elizabeth Munger had a breakout performance for the Eagles, posting a team-high 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
Annie Park and Chelsea Hill had the next highest point totals for Biola, but they both need to work on shooting efficiency, going a combined 5-for-26 from the floor.
 
The Eagles move to 0-1 on the year but have a chance to rebound from this tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Cal Maritime.
 
"We have much to work on, and we are looking forward to getting back on the court tomorrow to do just that," said Miller.