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Women's Basketball Brandon Taylor, Sports Information Assistant

Eagles’ Toughness Stumps Fast Start From Oaks

Eagles have 10 conference wins for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Box Score ATHERTON, Calif. --- No. 19 Biola's coaching staff had been preparing the team all week: Menlo was going to be a tough test and the Eagles had to be ready to take a firm hold on the game. Consequently, the Eagles made toughness their calling card on Saturday, battling for a plus 10 margin in rebounds and 44 points in the paint to win 76-67 in Atherton.

By completing the sweep of the four-day trip to the Northern California Golden State Athletic Conference schools, Biola climbs to a 19-6 record and 10-3 in conference. This marks the first time the Eagles have collected 10 conference wins since 2011-12, when a 23-11 Biola team won 11 GSAC games.

"This game was a battle to the very end and it was a three-point game for a large portion of the second half," said Assistant Coach William Allen. "The key for the win was making big plays down the stretch and getting great offensive rebounding from our post players."

Biola's response after the end of the first quarter was pivotal and demonstrated the players' confidence and determination. The Eagles only went 1-of-8 from beyond the arc over the first 10 minutes while Menlo seemed to hit every shot it took.

The Oaks had 23 points in the first before the visiting team reached double figures. Despite a 7-0 run from the Eagles over the last 2:19, Menlo still led by eight at quarter's end.

But in the second quarter Biola planted roots in the paint and had the best scoring period of the game with 26 points. The Eagles sank eight layups and had nine points off of offensive rebounds in the second quarter to create a six point lead at halftime.

"After the first quarter we knew we had to pick up the defensive energy. We really came together as a team to make that possible by boxing out hard to get rebounds," said sophomore forward Sara Dougan. "Working hard on defense and unselfish play on offense led to easy baskets and I think that's what won it for us."

The second quarter is also when the Eagles post players really began to leave a mark on the game. Biola came down with 24 rebounds in the first half and limited to Menlo to five boards on the offensive glass. That translated to eight more shots attempts and four more makes for the Eagles over the first 20 minutes.

"All our posts made key plays at crucial times today," said Allen. "[Joclyn Kirton] had a career day with 30 points and 14 rebounds, [Sara Dougan] made key blocks and Jessica Shill and Khadidja Diakite were forces on defense that cut off baseline drives and controlled the boards."

Kirton would collect 16 points and nine rebounds in the second half alone, eventually reaching a new career high in points (30) on her way to another double-double.

Dougan filled up the stat sheet for the second-straight game with nine points, eight assists, two steals and two blocks while Diakite nabbed 10 rebounds for the fourth time this season.

Those impressive stats left little room for Menlo to come back in the second half, as Biola outscored the home team 35-32. The Eagles hit the perfect balance of playing physical and smart on defense, conceding only six fouls as a team and four free throws to the Oaks.

Biola's next game is this coming Tuesday, when the Eagles return to Chase Gym to face-off with No. 5 Vanguard at 5:30 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Khadidja Diakite

#20 Khadidja Diakite

G
5' 10"
Junior
Sara Dougan

#33 Sara Dougan

F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Joclyn Kirton

#21 Joclyn Kirton

F
6' 0"
Senior
Jessica Shill

#51 Jessica Shill

F
6' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Khadidja Diakite

#20 Khadidja Diakite

5' 10"
Junior
G
Sara Dougan

#33 Sara Dougan

6' 4"
Sophomore
F
Joclyn Kirton

#21 Joclyn Kirton

6' 0"
Senior
F
Jessica Shill

#51 Jessica Shill

6' 3"
Sophomore
F
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