LA MIRADA --- The 2022-23 home opener for Biola men's basketball went according to plan, as the Eagles (2-0) were victorious. BU grabbed the win over the visiting Antelope Valley Pioneers with a 79-53 final score.
The Eagles were the team to gain the advantage in the opening half.
Daniel Esparza led the way with six points in the first five and half minutes of play, pushing BU to a 11-2 lead. The BU defense shined, holding the Pioneers to 1-8 shooting.
The difference in the first half came in points off of turnovers. The turnover differential was even at five each but the Eagles were able to capitalize. BU turned those five UAV giveaways into nine points, edging the visitors by five in the category.
With eight minutes remaining in the half, BU went cold from the field. As a team, the Eagles went 0-5 shooting which allowed UAV to make up 10 points in the rally.
Biola closed the half strong, building a 30-23 lead before the break.
The defense stepped up again at the start of the second half to bolster the BU lead. The Pioneers were held scoreless through the first four minutes after the break and Biola pulled ahead by 16 points at 39-23.
The Eagles never let up and ultimately pushed forward to its largest lead at 26 points. After the first made bucket of the second half, BU maintained a double-digit lead through the final buzzer.
Alex Wright gave an all-round performance, recording 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The veteran was efficient as well, shooting 61.5 percent from the field.
Quite a few of Wright's assists were perfect passes to the reigning PacWest Defender of the Week,
Maximo Milovich. The duo had great chemistry inside, leading to 11 points for Milovich.
"It's nice to be back. We have been working hard and I feel like we have picked up some momentum through these first two games," commented Milovich.
Nathan Medina also eclipsed ten points on Monday, claiming 19 of his own with three treys.
Tyus Parrish-Tillman stepped in in the second half and tallied some big minutes. The big man found success in the paint finishing with five points and two strong layups.
The Eagles will return to the planks on Friday with a matchup on the road against Cal Poly Pomona at 4:30 pm.
