Andrew Lee / Hawaii Media Source

Box Score

Biola BIO 18-11,12-8 PacWest

Point Loma PL 26-3,20-0 PacWest

Biola BIO

18-11,12-8 PacWest

Final

Mar. 03, 2023

Point Loma PL

26-3,20-0 PacWest

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Biola BIO	24	26	50
Point Loma PL	33	37	70

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | March 04, 2023 | Ethan McGarvey, Sports Information Director

Three-pointers Sink Eagles

Biola fought through the PacWest Tournament Semifinals but fell to the hot-shooting Sea Lions.

HONOLULU, Hawai'i --- Biola (18-11) ran into the top-seeded and No. 4 ranked Point Loma Sea Lions in the PacWest Tournament Semifinals. A second half push brought the Eagles within three points but PLNU (26-3) separated with strong outside shooting, leading to a 70-50 final in favor of Point Loma.

"We have fought all year and we have competed well all year in practice and in competition. I love my team," said head coach Dave Holmquist.

Biola certainly competed on Friday night, battling through the ups and downs to challenge PLNU.

That fight came early in the second half, after Biola found itself down by 14 at 40-26. The game seemed to be slipping away but the BU squad rallied.

Alex Wright started the push with a deep triple that only touched the bottom of the net. Point Loma responded with a layup before the sub-16 minute media timeout.

After the short break, BU picked up the pace. Casey Cappo and Nathan Medina took turns knocking down big shots, scoring eight-straight points for the Eagles. Cappo opened and closed the 8-0 run with two-pointers, while Medina was sandwiched in between with a pair of treys.

The burst cut the BU deficit to a single possession at 42-39. "We were moving the ball a little better and we were making shots," added Holmquist. "They (The Sea Lions) were not shooting quite as well and I hope our defense had something to do with that."

The quiet stretch from Point Loma did not last long. The Sea Lions responded with their own run, converting on six-of-seven field goals for a 17-3 run. In the rally, PLNU went five-for-five from beyond the arc.

PLNU rebuilt its lead and pushed it to a 20-point margin to seal the victory on Friday.

With four triples, Medina led the BU squad in scoring. The freshman shot 80.0 percent from long range and tallied 14 points. Daniel Esparza provided the offense in the first half with 10 points and finished the day with 12.

Now, the Eagles will await the results from Saturday and ultimately the NCAA DII Selection Show on Sunday. Entering Friday's competitions, Biola was ranked ninth in the West Region with the top eight teams making it to the regional championships. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday at 8:00 pm.

Wright possibly played his last game in a Biola uniform but is not ready to stop yet. "I'm trying to keep my mind focused in case we make regionals but once I take the time to sit down and replay those memories I'm sure it will hit me. I'm really grateful for my time here.

Gallery: (3-3-2023) MBB: PWT vs PLNU

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