Skip To Main Content

Biola University Athletics

Scoreboard

The Official Athletic Site of the Biola University Eagles

Scoreboard

Facundo Aranda with the ball
Samantha Rainey
87
Winner Biola BIO 17-6,11-4 PacWest
72
Menlo Menlo 9-13,5-9 PacWest
Winner
Biola BIO
17-6,11-4 PacWest
87
Final
72
Menlo Menlo
9-13,5-9 PacWest
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Biola BIO 40 47 87
Menlo Menlo 32 40 72

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

A Big Finish

It was close until it was not on Thursday night, as Biola broke away late for a win at Menlo.

ATHERTON, Calif. --- A tussle between the Biola Eagles (17-6, 11-4 PacWest) and Menlo (9-13, 5-9 PacWest) went the distance on Thursday night and it was the BU squad to triumph. The first Pacwest contest between the two teams went the way of the Eagles in a 87-72 final score.

Nothing could stop the Eagles on the way to their six-consecutive victory, dating back to January 18. The winning streak moved the Eagles into second place in the conference standings with five games remaining.

In the early going on Thursday, Biola was first to the punch. A 9-0 run for the Eagles put them ahead, behind efficient shooting and a tenacious defense. Through two minutes, BU forced three Menlo turnovers, as the Eagles opened a 14-6 lead with four makes on five attempts in the rally.

The rest of the first half was dead even between the two teams at 26-26. Turnovers were the story of the opening half, as Menlo gave up the ball nine times to Biola's one turnover.

Coming out of the break, BU pushed its lead to double figures. Daniel Esparza scored the first six points for the Eagles in the second half, as the team looked to maintain control.

A 12 point lead for Biola was nearly erased in a flash, as the Oaks sprinted back into the picture. The host squad netted a 13-2 run in under two minutes, hitting four-straight triples to cut their deficit to one at 62-61.

BU survived the onslaught from the Oaks and never relinquished its lead. One or two possessions was all that separated the two teams until the final two minutes. At 78-72, Biola turned on the jets and cemented the win. The Eagles ended the game on a 9-0 run with Casey Cappo and Davian Brown combining for all nine points with four field goals on four attempts.

The 15-point margin of victory was the 10th double-digit win for BU this season.

Daniel Esparza added another impressive performance to his 2024-25 campaign with 26 points, three assists, three rebounds, and two steals. The senior matched volume with efficiency, taking 18 shots and making 12 for a 66.7 field goal percentage.

Casey Cappo also hit the 20-point threshold with 22 points and six rebounds on Thursday. Cappo brought the fireworks once again with a game-ending dunk in the final seconds. Defensively, he tacked on three blocks in the win.

Contributing all over the place, Facundo Aranda offered a strong night on the court with 13 points and six rebounds, while going two-for-two from beyond the arc.

Biola's next matchup is at Dominican on Saturday, as the two teams battle at 3:00 pm.
Print Friendly Version
Skip Ad

Sponsors