Junior Chase Adams scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half to lead the Biola men’s basketball team to a 75-62 upset of NAIA No. 16 Concordia University on Saturday, Feb. 4 for their fifth win in a row. Junior Andre Murillo contributed 16 points against his former team, while juniors Kaimarr Price and Given Kalipinde each recorded double-doubles. Price scored 13 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while Kalipinde added 12 points and collected 14 boards. Biola is now 17-7 overall and 7-5 in the GSAC.
Defense comes up big for Biola
The game was statistically quite similar to their meeting earlier this season when Biola won 83-68. Biola led throughout the game, and held on despite several of Concordia’s late-game scoring runs. However, Concordia guard Tim Harris, who poured in 29 points in the teams last meeting was not in the lineup and Austin Simon, who had 16 points was held to a mere three on 1-of-12 shooting. It was once again Biola’s hard-nosed defense that shut down Concordia’s high-powered offense.
Concordia took the first lead with a basket one minute into the game, but that was the only time they were ahead. Biola responded and soon took control with the score 15-8. Concordia went on several scoring runs in the half, but Biola answered each one with a run of their own. The first half ended with Biola ahead 38-31.
Adams’ steal seals win for Biola
The second half began with both teams scoring back and forth until Adams’ three-point play with 10:32 left in the game gave Biola a 53-43 advantage. Concordia used a 12-3 run to cut the deficit to one at 56-55 with six minutes remaining. However, that was the closest Concordia would get for the rest of the game. Adams responded by draining a three-pointer on the next possession, and then picked up a steal and a fast-break layup to extend Biola’s lead back to six. Biola played strong defense and sank 10-of-12 free throws in the closing minutes to secure the win.
Biola returns to action on Tuesday Feb. 7, in an away game against Westmont College at 7:30 p.m.
