LA MIRADA---The Biola women's basketball team defeated Westmont College in a thrilling 65–62 overtime win on Thursday night at Chase Gymnasium.

"That was a hard fought game," stated head coach Mike Simonson. "Westmont is such a resilient, well-coached team. This game really shows how much we have grown this season."

The Eagles leaned on a true team effort, highlighted by a career-high 16 points from Danya Dykstra. The freshman was ultra-efficient, shooting 6-for-7 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, and delivered timely offense at critical moments.

"I had full confidence in my team and I know that my team has confidence in me," stated Dykstra. "I knew from the start of overtime that we were going to win."

"I am so proud of Danya," shared Simonson. "As a freshman she really stepped up and hit some huge shots."

Laney Grider, Hanne Nybo, Camden Miller and Grace Moyers also had key performances against the Warriors. Grider scored Biola's next-most points (12), shooting 5-for-11 from the field. Nybo led the Eagles with nine rebounds and four steals. Miller returned from injury to make her 2025–26 debut and played 11 minutes, went 2-for-4 in the field, collected one rebound and had two assists. Moyers scored the third-most points on her team (nine) and went an impressive 3-for-7 from downtown.

"Hanne was incredible on the board and physical in the post," said Simonson. "She was critical down the stretch for us to get stops and rebounds to secure the win."

Simonson continued, "Cam came in and gave us great minutes. She played like a seasoned upperclassman."

"Grace Moyer's shots in the first half were huge to give us the lead before half," added Simonson.

The Eagles battled throughout the entire game and outlasted the Warriors in overtime. The lead changed 15 times throughout the contest and was tied 11 times. Dykstra scored the first basket of overtime for Biola and the Eagles went on to out-score Westmont 9-6 in the overtime period.

Laney Grider led the Eagles in overtime scoring with three points, and Jaycee Goldsmith, Nybo, and Dykstra finished OT with two each.

"Our team has really grown and learned from our tough losses," concluded Simonson. "We are a resilient group and they are maturing before our eyes. I am excited to build on this win and look forward to a tough road trip in Hawaii next week."

Next up for Biola is Hawaii Pacific on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. PT at the Shark Tank in Honolulu, Hawaii.