Box Score KANSAS CITY, Missouri --- Just two days after becoming the first Biola Men's Basketball team to reach the 30-win plateau in nearly 20 years the Eagles saw their season come to a heartbreaking close with a round of 16 loss at the 2016 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship.
 
Biola came out of the gates extremely slow and never fully recovered in an 88-80 loss to No. 14 Mid-America Christian. The Evangels began the game on a 24-5 run to establish an upbeat tempo that would remain in place throughout the game as Biola attempted to play catch up.
 
"We had a great season, not only because we won so many games, but because we had such a good spirit and strong relationships," said Biola head coach Dr. Dave Holmquist. "I've been coaching at Biola for 36 years and this was easily one of my favorite teams for many reasons. They have just cared so much all year long. They are just wonderful people who will do well in life. It's really been a rewarding season."
 
The Evangels began the game 11-of-17 combined between attempts from the floor and the free throw line. Their hot shooting, combined with Biola's 3-for-10 effort and five turnovers during that same span, is what primarily contributed to MACU's ability to extend such a huge lead on the No. 1 seed in the A.O. Duer Bracker, No. 3 Biola.
 
That advantage would stay intact for much of the first period of play as Biola went into the halftime locker room looking up at a 30-49 deficit.


Whatever Holmquist told his team at the break worked. Well that coupled with the break cooling some of the momentum MACU's shooters had. The Eagles came out of the break and about five minutes into the second half began to chip away at the huge lead.
 
From the 15:28 mark to the 9:39 mark the Eagles outscored the Evangels 21-4 to bring the game to within three points at 60-63. That run is coincidentally the same exact run the Eagles used at the end of the first half in Wednesday's game to overcome a disadvantage to their first round opponent Faulkner and earn a come-from-behind win.
 
Naturally, with all the momentum tipping favor of the higher seed the energy really began percolating inside of Municipal Auditorium on this hazy Friday morning in Kansas City.
 
Just after the Eagles got back within three with a Terrell Funches fastbreak layup Mid-America Christian scored a three-pointer and two made free throws on its next two possessions to bring the game back into perspective a bit.
 
Those two possessions may just have made all the difference in this one. If the Eagles had been able to take a hold on the lead and settle better back into their half court offense and slow down the tempo we could be looking at a completely different result.
 
Unfortunately, the run n' gun type play continued throughout the remainder of the game and two points would be as close as the Eagles would get to overcoming the MACU lead and earning a spot in the tournament quarterfinals.
 
The Evangels took advantage of some late Biola turnovers, an issue for the Eagles throughout the night, to build the lead back up to double digits with four minutes left and then made their free throws in the stretch run to close the game out.
 
It's a sour way for what has been such a sweet season to come to a close, but there were still plenty of moments to smile about even on this bittersweet morning.
 
Jeff Gonzalez had one of his biggest games of the year with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Dakari Archer again proved he's one of the best players in the nation by working with his buddy Funches to orchestrate the monumental comeback. They ended with 22 and 19 points, respectively. Also, Steve Herve played an impactful 15 minutes with six points and four boards.

The season comes to a close with a 30-4 mark, two Golden State Athletic Conference Championships in tow and a whole lot of memories to draw upon years down the line.
 
And hey, you better believe that Biola Men's Basketball will not be picked to finish fifth in the GSAC in 2016-17.