Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- It took until an emphatic swat at the buzzer to be sure, but Biola was unable to separate from CSU San Marcos as the Cougars win 69-68.
 
Biola's two pillars, Chelsea Hill and Annie Park, each had notable nights: Hill for dominating, 26 points on just 12 shots, and Park for having to miss the last 25 minutes of the game. Park was able to return to the bench to encourage and help coach her fill-in, Dani Kennedy.
 
"Dani Kennedy did a nice job at the point guard spot for us, getting us set, attacking the basket and working defensively," said Head Coach Dr. Bethany Miller. "Desiree Robinson stepped in and did a nice job defensively as well, and we made our run when she stepped in and played well."
 
And it was Kennedy who ended up with the ball in her hands, five seconds ticking down in the game, Eagles down by one. Unable to connect with Hill, Kennedy puts it on the floor, dribbles once, twice, crosses over, elevates while fading left, but is unable to separate from her defender as the outstretched arm brings an end to the Eagles' comeback and an unfortunate end to a solid performance by Kennedy.
 
For a game decided by a great defensive play, the first half was all offense with both teams shooting over 45 percent from the floor. The Eagles poured in the points through the post where Chelsea Hill put in 12 points on five-for-five shooting and Taylor Casey added another 10 with a perfect four trips to the line. Unfortunately, Biola's paint familiarity carried over to their defense. They consistently over helped into the paint, allowing easy cross-court passes to wide open Cougar shooters. CSU San Marcos nailed five of their six attempts from beyond the arc, including Cassie Damyanovich hitting all four of her attempts in the first half.
 
The defenses adjusted in the second half but were still outplayed overall by the two clicking offenses. There was also still no adjusting for Hill this game. Carrying the load for the Park-less team, she abused defenders on post-up after post-up. She spun, faked, went over or went through defenders all night on way to her 26 points, while still missing just a single shot, including free throws. Her game sets a season-high of any Eagle in points, field goals made and field goal percentage. Hill also grabbed 10 rebounds.
 
"Chelsea Hill is a player who has been consistent for us since her freshman year in the program. She is a four-year starter, a veteran," said Coach Miller. "She stepped up really big tonight. Twenty-six points is great."
 
Despite the career night for Hill, the Cougars led for most of the game, vacillating between three and five point leads through much of it. With eight and a half minutes to go, CSU San Marcos strung together its largest lead of the second half, going up by eight. Missing one of its best players, this seemed like the time where Biola would finally fade away. They did not. An Aubree Mittel three-pointer on the next possession would ignite a furious 12-4 run over the next five minutes that would eventually give Biola its shot to win it.
 
Biola returns to conference play on Saturday, hosting Hope International. The Eagles hope to remain unblemished in Golden State Athletic Conference play as its been nearly a month since their last GSAC matchup.