LA MIRADA, Calif. — Biola Women's Basketball continued its mid-season surge on Thursday night, opening the final month of the regular season with a decisive 73–50 PacWest victory over Fresno Pacific at Chase Gym. 

The win marked Biola's fourth in its last five games, its sixth conference victory overall, and moved the Eagles squarely into the middle of the PacWest standings as the race tightens heading into February.

"Really proud of our team win tonight," said head coach Mike Simonson. "Fresno Pacific is very well coached and a scrappy competitor. Our team showed a lot of poise after they made their run early in the fourth."

Fueled by a dominant opening quarter, standout individual performances, and an energized crowd, the Eagles led wire-to-wire in the first of five consecutive home games. Biola jumped out to a 22–7 first-quarter advantage, built a lead as large as 27 points, and controlled the game on both ends to set the tone for this pivotal homestand.

Students who were in attendance celebrated a halftime Biola Squisheagle plush giveaway, and—thanks to the win—walked out with free Chick-fil-A La Mirada coupons.

From the opening tip, Biola dictated pace and physicality.

The Eagles forced early turnovers and quickly converted them into points, rattling off a 17–3 scoring run that turned a tight opening sequence into a double-digit advantage before the first media timeout. Crisp ball movement, second-chance opportunities, and perimeter pressure helped Biola overwhelm Fresno Pacific on both ends of the floor. The Sunbirds managed just one field goal over the final six minutes of their slow first period. 

Fresno Pacific found a steadier offensive rhythm in the second quarter, but Biola never allowed momentum to swing. The Eagles continued to attack inside and capitalize on mistakes, taking a 37–23 lead into halftime.

The third quarter erased any lingering doubt. Biola poured in 24 points in the period, stretching the lead past 20 behind timely three-point shooting and sustained defensive pressure. 

Laney Grider led the Eagles with 18 points, anchoring the offense and helping establish Biola's early rhythm. Grider continues to sit second in the PacWest in scoring offense (15.9 ppg), thanks in large part to her efficiency with a .492 field goal percentage, which is also second-best in the league.

Jaycee Goldsmith recorded a double-double, her third of the season and second in the last three games, controlling the paint and providing a steady interior presence. She had 11 points and 11 rebounds while also grabbing two steals.

"I am so proud of our rebounding," stated Simonson. "We have been focusing on it and Jaycee with her second Double-Double shows how much we emphasized it. She wasn't the only one; as our guards made a focused effort on the glass as well."

Camden Miller delivered key contributions off the bench with seven points, continuing her steady return to form in just her fifth game back after missing an entire year due to injury.

As a team, Biola finished with 24 points off turnovers, 30 points in the paint and held Fresno Pacific to just 27 percent shooting.

With the victory, Biola improves to 9–8 overall and 6–6 in PacWest play, climbing to seventh in the conference standings and building momentum at a critical point in the season. Thursday's win marked the Eagles' fourth in their last five games, signaling Head Coach Mike Simonson's team is finding its stride as the calendar turns to February.

With four more games remaining at Chase Gym, the homestand opens with purpose—and opportunity—as Biola looks to continue its push up the PacWest table during the season's final month.

Biola is right back in action at home on Saturday night as they host Jessup University on Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m.