Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Men's Basketball had the privilege of playing its third massive game in seven days as it hosted a red-hot Hope International team in a rematch of the 2015-16 Golden State Athletic Conference championship.
 
The No. 3 Eagles came into play needing a win after dropping a road contest on Tuesday up at Westmont. The Royals came in feeling as confident as could be following a 32-point road win against a The Master's University team that Biola had to beat by a buzzer beater just one week ago.
 
It was a tough test for this seasoned Dr. Dave Holmquist coached team, and they rose to the occasion in a big way. Spearheaded by a confident and aggressive offensive game from Dakari Archer the Eagles managed to come away with a 69-55 win at home.
 
The victory is a relief, especially since at times throughout the night it did not feel much like a home contest. The Eagles were playing in front of a smaller home crowd due to the student body still being away for interterm and the Royals brought a big and loud traveling section.
 
The noise did not distract the laser focused Biola squad in the slightest as the Eagles got off to a very strong start. The Eagles were selective with their shots, played tight defense and did not foul as they quickly built a 9-4 lead through the first six minutes to force the ever-animated visiting coach to call a quick timeout to try and wake up his guys.
 
The Royals got a quick three-point make right out of the timeout, but then they went cold again as Biola continued to force them to take their second or third option for a shot. The Eagles defense anchored down on the Royals' big guys, which made it hard for them to play inside out the way they are accustomed to and put a strain on the guards as they had to force shots.
 
The Eagles held HIU to just 11-of-24 shooting in the first half as they cruised to a 37-26 halftime lead.
 
Archer, who uncharacteristically was held to just one field goal up at Westmont, decided to go off the charts in the first half. He shot 5-of-7 overall and was a perfect 3-for-3 beyond the arc as he piled on 13 points in the first 20 minutes.
 
A perfect example of how selective the Eagles were early on is that they took just four shots from deep in the first half and made all four. Uncharacteristically, the only man other than Archer to throw up, and make, a three-point shot, Alex Talma.
 
Biola's defense dug in even deeper in the second half as it held the Royals to just 38 percent shooting and kept Isaac Douglass (who had 12 first-half points) completely off the board.
 
The Royals were only outscored by three in the second period because of the solid driving of Donny Punter. The lightning fast guard slashed to the basket repeatedly over the final 10 minutes of the game and managed 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
 
Ryan Swain was the only other player to score double figures in the second half. He added 10 points to his four first-half points to complete a solid game. He made six of his eight shots and was a perfect 2-for-2 from deep to go along with five rebounds.
 
Biola ended the game outrebounding the larger Royals team 36-29. As has been a focus all season long, the Eagles piled on 11 offensive rebounds, which resulted in nine second chance points.
 
The win moves Biola into a tie for third place in the conference standings at 2-2. The Eagles are behind Westmont (4-0) and three teams tied at 2-1. Biola improves to 16-2 overall while Hope International falls to 12-5.
 
The Eagles get back at it on Saturday vs. San Diego Christian (5-8, 1-3 GSAC) in a game played at Grossmont College at 7:30 p.m.