IRVINE, Calif. --- Defensive effort and drive led the Eagles to a pair of wins last week against top programs in Point Loma and Azusa Pacific. Aysia Johnson was the driving force for BU, earning her a PacWest Defender of the Week award.

Last week saw the Biola women's basketball team take the planks twice and twice pull out a victory. Both wins were dominated by pressure and effort on defense that disrupted the opposing teams.

In game one on the week, BU took down Point Loma, while only allowing 35 points throughout the whole contest. Twice within the game, BU held the Sea Lions to just two points in a quarter. On Saturday, Biola held the APU Cougars to their lowest point total of the year, while forcing 26 turnovers, doubling their season average.

The key cog for the team was Johnson, who accumulated 10 steals on the week. Four takeaways helped the Eagles collect a season-high 19 steals against PLNU and six steals from Johnson led the team against APU.

Johnson drew inspiration from her father to step it up on defense, "I know one thing that my dad has always told me is that when I'm struggling offensively, defense is just heart and desire which you can always control."

The most crucial play from Johnson came in the waning minutes against Azusa Pacific on Saturday. The Eagles were down for the majority of the game but made up some ground to trail by one with just over two minutes left in the contest. The 5-8 guard swiped the ball from the Cougars and immediately pushed on the fast break. Johnson handed the ball off for Amiah Simmons to lay it in, giving Biola the lead that would hold through the final buzzer.

The PacWest weekly honor was the second of Johnson's career at Biola.

Biola will return to the court on Monday night to take on Point Loma at 7:30 pm, before hosting senior night on Tuesday at 6:00 pm against Holy Names.