The Biola men’s basketball team went on the road and defeated Hope International University 72-60 on Saturday, Feb. 18. Then on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the team dominated at home, beating San Diego Christian College 76-45.
In the game against Hope, junior guard Given Kalipinde picked up 19 points and led the team with 13 rebounds. Junior Kaimarr Price added nine more rebounds. Hope’s center, Steve Jurich, is the leading rebounder in the nation, but was only able to get three against Biola on Saturday, all coming in the final two minutes of the game.
Biola junior forward Andre Murillo and senior forward Davey Hopkins reached double figures — scoring 12 points and 11 points respectively.
Eagles take charge in second half against Hope
With 11:52 remaining in the first half, Hope’s Jeremy Kilgore made a free throw to put them ahead 13-12, but it quickly became Biola’s game when Price scored a layup. At the half, Biola led 37-31.
On Hope’s side, junior guard Kris Rosales led the Royals with 21 points. The Eagles allowed 18 turnovers, letting the Royals score 22 points, but that wasn’t enough. Biola won 72-60.
“We just tried to contain him penetration-wise,” Given said on Rosales. “Try to make him take tough shots, try to do the same thing with Jeremy.”
Tuesday, Biola topped San Diego Christian 76-45 for their fourth straight win and ninth in the last 10 games they have played.
Defense keys Biola’s blowout of San Diego Christian
The Eagles didn’t allow any San Diego Christian players to enter double figures and held the Hawks to a 31.4 shooting percentage while forcing 21 turnovers — leading to 27 Biola points.
At the end of the first half, Biola led 39-19. The Eagles went on a 16-4 run to put them ahead by 32 points 6:30 into the second half — a lead they held for the rest of the game.
Junior guard Chase Adams contributed 16 points and Kalipinde added 14 with 11 rebounds for a double-double. Price finished the game with 10 points, and Murillo and Hopkins both with nine.
“The key to winning was our energy,” Murillo said. “That was it, we came ready to go and it was nice. It was a good game, a good win.”
Biola out-rebounded San Diego Christian offensively and defensively, 44 to 32. Biola now sits in a four-way tie for second place in the Golden State Athletic Conference with Point Loma Nazarene University, Azusa Pacific University and Westmont College.
Murillo leads the Eagles in scoring with 13 points per contest and Kalipinde averages 11.3. Kalipinde leads the team with 7.7 rebounds per agme and Murillo is next with 6.8. Kalipinde also leads the team with 77 assists and Hopkins is close behind with 76.
The Eagles play The Master’s College on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. A win could secure a spot in the NAIA playoff tournament.
Before tipoff on Saturday night’s game, Hopkins will be recognized during senior night.
“We are going to have to play good basketball,” said head coach Dave Holmquist. “They’re real good with ball screens. They’ve got good shooters. I mean, they’re a tough team, so we’re really going to have to just play a good all-around game.”
