LA MIRADA, Calif. --- For more than 35 minutes Friday afternoon, Biola Men's Basketball had done enough to put itself in position for a second consecutive victory.
The final five minutes changed everything.
Biola held a 62-52 advantage with 4:35 remaining, but Cal State LA closed the game on a stunning 17-3 run to hand the Eagles a heartbreaking 69-65 loss inside Chase Gymnasium.
"It was a tough loss for us tonight," said
Dr. Dave Holmquist. "I think we had the lead just about the entire game, and we just didn't execute well the last three minutes of the game, and it slipped away."
The defeat dropped Biola to 1-1 on the young season and snapped a two-game winning streak against the Golden Eagles. Biola had entered Friday with a 24-12 advantage in the all-time series. The Eagles looked capable of adding another for much of the afternoon.
Biola scored the game's first seven points and built its largest lead of the opening half at 19-8. Cal State LA gradually worked back into the game, but Holmquist's team maintained a 34-31 advantage at halftime.
The cushion grew again after the break.
Grayson Sinek connected from deep to push the margin to eight early in the second half, and Biola later used consecutive baskets from
Elijah Tshibangu and another Sinek jumper to establish a 57-50 advantage.
Then
Charlie Gehler appeared to provide the separation Biola needed. Gehler scored on a drive with 5:25 remaining before burying a three-pointer 50 seconds later to snap out of a cold start and give the Eagles their 62-52 lead.
Biola would not make another field goal until the final 15 seconds.
Cal State LA chipped away at the deficit from the free-throw line before pulling within 63-60 with 2:26 left. Two Biola turnovers followed, and with 1:14 remaining the Golden Eagles connected from three to tie the game at 63.
After a missed Biola layup, Cal State LA converted a three-point play with 36 seconds remaining to take its first lead of the afternoon, 66-63. The Eagles had one more opportunity to answer, but a three-point attempt missed with 19 seconds left, forcing Biola to foul down the stretch.
"I felt good about how hard we competed," said Holmquist. "Hopefully we can learn some things from this game and get better tomorrow."
Sinek led Biola with 18 points, knocking down four three-pointers while adding four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
Prince Oseya was nearly flawless offensively, finishing a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 at the line for 14 points. He added five rebounds, two blocks and a steal without committing a turnover.
Walker Weir contributed 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
"I thought we played hard. I thought we were really ready to play," Holmquist said. "
Prince Oseya had a very good game.
Grayson Sinek, I thought, had a great game. He does a real nice job on defense."
The difference ultimately came at the foul line. Cal State LA finished 17-for-19, while Biola went 10-for-15. The visitors also held a 37-31 rebounding advantage and scored 20 fast-break points to Biola's eight.
There is little time to dwell on the finish.
Biola returns to action Saturday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m., traveling to face Cal State San Marcos at The Sports Center.
