Thursday night Biola entered the first round of the Golden State Athletic Conference playoffs as the number one defensive team in the nation, only to have a backcourt of All-Conference talent rain three-pointers on their parade.
Ryan Read of Concordia, who finished with 25 points, knocked down six triples for the third time this season against Biola. In the game, he ignited an 8-0 Concordia run at the end of the first half to send Biola reeling into the locker room.
Despite trailing by nine at the half, the young Biola squad never threw in the towel, battling back after trailing by as many as 12 points in the second half.
Throughout the game Biola countered Concordia’s three All-Conference members with All-GSAC big men senior Danny Jones and sophomore Rocky Hampton in an attempt to control the game. Jones pulled down 11 boards, and Hampton blocked three shots as Biola narrowed the deficit.
Biola went on a 10-2 run cutting the lead to two with a minute and a half remaining after being down by 10 with just over five minutes left in the game. However, the two teams traded buckets as Concordia’s Terrence Worthy sunk a floater in the lane, which ended up proving to be the dagger.
Hampton led the way for Biola, pouring in 23 points — only to be outdone by Read’s 25. Senior Jones almost willed Biola to victory by adding 19 points in 38 minutes on the floor, but it wasn’t enough.
With the win, Concordia advanced to the next round of the conference playoffs to beat Point Loma on Saturday night. They then faced off with Cal Baptist in the finals on Tuesday night, also beating them to capture the GSAC crown.
Concordia also became the only team to sweep Biola this season, winning all three contests between the schools.
Despite the difficulties against the opposing Eagles, Head Coach Dave Holmquist was still pleased with his team’s effort.
“We played hard but we came up short,” he said. “We played some of our best basketball near the end.”
Biola will return everyone who played Thursday night except for Jones next season.
“We have a good foundation,” Holmquist said. “We have what it takes to do well [next season].”
