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Bagatourian layup
Steven Guersch
76
Fresno Pacific FPU 6-1,0-1 PacWest
84
Winner Biola BIO 7-1,1-0 PacWest
Fresno Pacific FPU
6-1,0-1 PacWest
76
Final
84
Biola BIO
7-1,1-0 PacWest
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 34 42 76
Biola BIO 40 44 84

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Ethan McGarvey, Sports Information Director

Bagatourian’s Career Night Propels BU

Michael Bagatourian carried the Eagles to an 84-76 victory in their conference-opener against Fresno Pacific.

LA MIRADA --- Biola men's basketball (7-1, 1-0 PacWest) ended Thursday night as the top dog in a battle against the previously undefeated Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (6-1, 0-1 PacWest). Michael Bagatourian was dominant for the Eagles, offering up 36 points in the 84-76 triumph.

The senior guard was too much for the Sunbird defense, going 13-19 from the floor and 7-8 from the free throw line. The 36-point total was a career-best for Bagatourian, who also added seven rebounds and six assists. "That was the best game he has ever played here and probably the best he's ever played in his life. He did everything," commented head coach Dave Holmquist.

Thursday's contest was a tough and physical battle from the tip. Neither team gathered a lead larger than six through the first half, while the Eagles managed slight advantages in field goal percentage (48.06-42.9), three-point percentage (36.4-20.0) and rebounds (20-18).

Maximo Milovich provided a spark off the bench at the 14 minute mark, picking up two rebounds and a block right out of the gate. He also added a layup, as the Eagles opened up a 17-14 lead at the second media timeout.

The BU offense ran through Bagatourian in the opening half. The senior notched 17 points, going 7-10 from the floor through the first 20 minutes of action. Bagatourian led the charge at the end of the half, helping Biola to a 40-34 advantage by scoring or assisting on the final 12 points for BU.



The run continued coming out of the halftime break with Bagatourian tacking on the first four points. Jesse Elrod added a three and before the Sunbirds could get their footing they were forced to take a timeout, down by 14. The 5:48 span, stretching between the two halves, featured a 22-8 Eagles run.

Fresno Pacific turned up the energy to try and erase the deficit, turning the game chippy between the two teams. FPU found some success, cutting the BU advantage to six two times.

Bagatourian's strong night forced the Sunbirds to double-team him when he had the ball on the block in the second half but he was prepared for the stingy defense. "We work on that alot in practice and my teammates do a really good job of getting open," said Bagatourian. He found those open teammates on Thursday, leading to his six assists.

The fight from the Sunbirds would ultimately come up empty, as BU always had an answer. Biola never let its lead dip below six points in the second half, on the way to the 84-76 final margin. 

"There's a lot of pressure in that first game when you face a good opponent at home, so it was important for us to get off to a good start with a win tonight," added Holmquist.

The BU squad was unselfish on Thursday, as the team accumulated 24 assists on their 31 made field goals. Alex Wright paced BU in the category with seven and was followed by Bagatourian with six and Whitten Dominguez with five. The teamwork led to offensive efficiency in the form of a 50.0 field goal percentage and an 87.5 free throw percentage for BU.

Wright made an impact in every aspect of the game in the double-double effort. The guard finished the night with 13 points and 12 rebounds to go along with his seven assists and two blocks.

BU will be back on the court inside Chase Gymnasium on Saturday with another PacWest competition against Holy Names at 4:00 pm.
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