Box Score FULLERTON, Calif. --- One down, two to go. Biola began its busy start to the week win a win over Fisk (TN) on day one of the Hope Classic, hosted by Hope International. The Eagles used a big first half and comeback in the second half to beat the Bulldogs, 76-69.
 
The win helps Biola improve to 8-0 and begins a stretch of three games in three days on the right note. Biola began the game by building a huge lead, which dissipated through the later stages of the first half and ultimately disappeared early in the second. However, the Eagles reclaimed control of the lead with 7:58 left on the game clock and never again relinquished it to Fisk.
 
"We got off to a big lead midway through the first half, but then we subbed and it did not go so well," said Head Coach Dr. Dave Holmquist. "In the second half they took the lead, but I was impressed with how we came back and played well down the stretch."
 
Biola's late second half surge was brought on by strong play from freshman Blake Shannon, Jr. and consistent rebounding from Mike Kurtz and Grant Corsi, which was present all night.
 
Shannon contributed 10 points off the bench, going a crisp 4-5 from the field, all in the second half. He also aided with the ball movement as one of three Eagles with multiple assists.
 
Kurtz was big in the post all game long, posting his fifth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 20 boards in 38 minutes of work. He had to step it up in the second half when Biola lost Steve Herve for the final 18 minutes of the contest, and Kurtz did just that, getting eight of his rebounds, half of his points and four blocks in the second half.
 
Corsi was instrumental in the Eagles strong start to the game, posting 15 first-half points on 6-8 shooting from the field. He and the Eagles built their biggest lead of the game when just seven minutes in they had a 17-point lead.
 
"Kurtz's 20 rebounds were important and Corsi had a real good game, especially in the first half. He helped us get that big lead, which was real important," said Holmquist.
 
It was seven minutes of solid basketball for the Eagles, as the team went 9-13 from the field, including 5-6 from deep to build up to that 17-point lead. On the rare occasion the Eagles' shooters did miss early Biola's post players were there to gather three offensive rebounds on four misses. All three of those boards turned into second-chance points.
 
The Eagles ended the game with 12 offensive boards and 37 on the defensive end to win the rebound race, 49-40. Those nine extra possessions helped make up for some of the poor decisions that led to 20 turnovers, double what Fisk ended the contest with.
 
Dakari Archer was a key player throughout the night, finding chances to drive to the hoop and pick up fouls and also finding the open man for seven assists. He ended with 17 points and was 7-8 from the free-throw line.
 
Biola looks to make it nine straight with tomorrow afternoon's matchup with Bellevue (NE). Biola (8-0) and the Bruins (5-1) tipoff at Hope International at 3:00 p.m.