Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- A low-scoring first half turned Biola's fourth game of the week into a defensive, possession-focused battle with Evangel, one the Eagles would claim victory in, 60-48.
 
Biola's defense has been sound all season long, but with the Eagles' offense performing inconsistently over the past few games, it was especially important in this matchup.
 
"Our girls worked very hard on defense. They were consistent and played with energy and intensity," said Head Coach Dr. Bethany Miller. "It was just a team that played great all-around defense."
 
The Eagles' biggest success on defense was their ability to shut down any attempt at inside offense from the Crusaders, holding them to just 10 points in the paint all night long. Biola's zone defense also forced 16 turnovers by Evangel and allowed Biola to lead the defensive rebound race, 24-22.
 
Neither team shot exceptionally well, although the Eagles definitely had the better outing of the two teams, especially in the second half.

The game had a slow build-up, with neither team scoring a basket for the first two minutes and 36 seconds, and combining for just 16 total points, Biola leading 11-5, through 10 minutes of play.
 
The Eagles took the lead at the 16:46 minutes remaining mark in the first half and did not relinquish control again for the rest of the game. The teams remained close though, with the game being either tied or within two points eight different times in the first half.
 
It got close, but the lead was never relinquished thanks to some physical and clutch offense from Dani Kennedy. The freshman guard subbed into the game with just under eight minutes left in the first half and made an immediate impact.
 
She scored seven points in a row for Biola over a minute and a half stretch where Evangel was able to match every basket, making each of her points count.
 
It was definitely the best game of her young career so far, as she ended the first half with those seven points and added six more in the second half that saw Biola outscore the Crusaders 38-30. She was 5-of-8 from the field to end with 13 points.
 
"Dani is a very talented player who is versatile," said Miller. "She used a lot of good looks tonight to push pace and knock down shots. She's a very smart player."
 
Down the stretch it was inside offense that got the job done for Biola. The Eagles finished with 35 points in the paint, a number triggered by the athletic play of Elizabeth Munger and Khadidja Diakite in the second half.
 
The pair combined for 29 total points, including 23 in the second half alone, and 12 rebounds. Munger caught fire in the final 20 minutes, scoring 15 of her team-leading 17 points off 6-of-7 shooting and perfect free throw shooting. She's up to a .769 mark from the charity stripe this season, going 16-18 in her last three outings. She now leads the team with 11.1 points-per-game. Chelsea Hill put in another consistent offensive performance, totaling 11 points, her exact season average, in 34 minutes.
 
"I think the posts were very consistent in grabbing position and working hard. They battled down low against a team that is very good inside. We were very pleased," said Miller.

The win pushes the Eagles to 11-5 in 2014-15 and drops Evangel to 3-7, a disappointing finish for the Crusaders as they go 0-2 on this brief Southern California road trip.
 
Biola resumes its schedule at home on Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in a game against CSU San Marcos.