Box Score SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- Even in defeat, Saturday's game against No. 4 Westmont left no doubt about Biola's standing as one of the best three teams in the Golden State Athletic Conference. The Eagles now sit in a tie for third in the GSAC table at 2-1 after the 51-54 loss and Westmont is 3-0.

The 14-1 Warriors snatched the three point win with two last second free throws from Kayla Sato and held off Biola's 12 points charge in the last 1:38 of the game. Joclyn Kirton scored eight points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with a game-high 17.

"Despite the challenges today, I am very proud of how the team came together today," said Head Coach Alan Nakamura. " They really battled tonight and stayed even with a championship level team in Westmont." 

The Eagles probably surprised many of the Westmont faithful at Murchison Gymnasium by holding a two point advantage over the home team headed into the first quarter break. Guards Annie Park and Tatum Brimley combined for 12 points and played fantastic perimeter defense all game to prevent the Warriors from taking open shots.

Brimley finished with 15 points and Park had 10.

Although Westmont averaged 27 made field goals per game before Saturday's opening tip, it struggled to shoot over the Eagles zone defense. The Warriors shot .304 from beyond the arc and .310 (18-58) from the field on Saturday while the Eagles shot .407 from the field at 19-47.

"We have been working really hard on our team defense and its paying off," said Brimley. "Westmont plays really aggressively but we stayed poised and we stayed with them the entire game."

Westmont had better luck on the boards and won the rebounding battle 46-to-24. The Warriors also collected 23 offensive rebounds that produced five second chance baskets. And most significant to the game's final result, the Warriors ability to clean the glass prevented the Eagles from getting second chances of their own.

The Eagles struggled with their shooting stroke in the second and third periods, scoring 10 points total over that stretch because the Biola rebounders found it difficult to get fresh shot clocks after initial shot attempts missed.

But the Eagles defense also made it so Westmont had its own offensive struggles; both teams scored only six points in the third quarter to keep the game within two field goals headed into the final period.

Biola had the best scoring quarter of the night in the fourth, with all 23 points coming in the last 6:19 of the game. At that point, the Eagles were finally able to break down the Warrior post players and drive to the basket for five layups in the closing minutes.

Westmont went 7-for-9 from the free throw line in the fourth to seal the game.

Biola returns to home on Tuesday to face Hope International in another GSAC matchup at 5:30 p.m.