Box Score FULLERTON, Calif. --- Whenever two of the top-3 defensive teams in the nation get together you know to not expect a whole lot of scoring, but man was Saturday's matchup between No. 4 Biola and No. 10 Hope International something crazy. The Royals ended up with a 54-47 victory to avenge a double-digit loss to the Eagles from earlier in the season and improve to 17-0 at home this year.
 
The loss is especially disappointing to this Biola team, because a win would have guaranteed at least a tie for the GSAC title with one game to play, but now they are in a spot where they need either William Jessup or Menlo to knock off the Royals next week in order to tie for the 'ship.
 
It was a hot start and really strong offensive first half by the home team that sunk the Eagles' ship on this night. The Royals shot over 70 percent through the first 17 minutes of play and took a commanding 18-9 lead within the first seven minutes of play.
 
That lead would get as high as 12 and as narrow as three, but ultimately the Royals held on despite a much improved second half by Dr. Dave Holmquist's team. The Eagles went into the break trailing by 10 at 34-24 and were able to hold HIU to just 20 second-half points, but still did not have enough offensive firepower to avoid their fourth conference loss.
 
Dakari Archer led the Eagles with 13 points on a night when he had to take charge early on just to avoid the game getting out of hand. He shot 6-of-9 from the floor on an evening when Biola as a team shot just 35 percent. It was the worst shooting percentage by this team all season long.
 
After Archer no Eagle was able to get more than seven points on the board or make more than three shots from the field. They played a relatively clean contest, committing only seven turnovers while forcing 12 and only getting called for one more foul than the Royals. However, tonight proves that you can do everything right and sometimes still not lead just because your shot just does not fall.
 
By the end of the game the Royals were only shooting 40 percent also, as the Eagles were able to close down the paint just a bit after letting HIU run amuck down low early in the game. The Royals would outscore the Eagles 26-18 inside of the paint and had six blocks, including two on one possession in their dominant first half.
 
Biola's ball movement was just as good as it always is as the Eagles picked up 12 assists on their 19 made free throws, but it was still not enough to overcome all the misses.
 
The Eagles fall to 25-4 (11-4 GSAC) and the Royals improve to 22-6 (11-3 GSAC). Biola's final matchup, and the final home game of the year, is this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against San Diego Christian (3-11 GSAC). With four losses there is a slim chance that there could be a four-way tie atop the GSAC standings as No. 18 The Master's and No. 16 Westmont also currently have four loss and HIU could lose to William Jessup (7-6) or Menlo (3-11) next week.