Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Make it four consecutive outings decided in the possession for Biola Women's Basketball. Tuesday night's game against No. 10 Vanguard was another one that left a sour taste as Biola held close throughout the night but failed to pull it out down the stretch in a 50-53 loss.
 
"We are competing well against good competition. We have had our chances at the end in the last four games, but only finished well once," said Head Coach Alan Nakamura.
 
Biola never let the Lions extend their lead to more than five points in a game that was tied eight times and had eight different lead changes, but seemingly was in the hands of Vanguard throughout.
 
The last time Biola held the lead was at the end of the third quarter when an Aubree Mittel made three-pointer made it a 39-36 game. Vanguard's made three on the first basket of the fourth quarter equalized the game.
 
The Lions would never again trail and sealed the game with back-to-back-to-back made free throws over the final minute.
 
Mittel was the most effective player on the floor for Nakamura on this night. It was great to see the senior with a fantastic individual performance as she went for 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting and made a season-best six three-point shots. She also turned the ball over zero times.
 
As a whole Biola did well to maintain possession of the ball on this night, coughing the ball up just 10 times. The biggest difference was that Vanguard simply had some more depth off the bench. VU ended the night with 24 bench points, which was led by Gionni Blankenship's 12.
 
DeMoria White and Danielle Kennedy each also reached double-digits with 10 points a piece. Taylor Casey would lead Biola's rebounding effort with 10, but the Eagles were at a big rebound disadvantage to the Lions (44-33).
 
"As long as we stick together and remain teachable we will learn how to close game out," said Nakamura. "Two of our main themes are that we always stay positive and optimistic. Our team is united in that approach!"
 
The Eagles fall to 10-11 after the loss and drop to 3-4 in Golden State Athletic Conference play. Vanguard improves to 12-3 (4-1 GSAC).

Biola heads to Darling Pavilion in Fullerton this Saturday for a conference doubleheader at Hope International. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m. and is immediately followed by the men's.