Biola men’s basketball lost to NAIA No. 2 Oklahoma Baptist University 67-56 in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA National playoff tournament. After winning the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament Championship for the first time on March 6, the Eagles’ season is now over after winning their first three games at the NAIA tournament. Biola’s final record was 27-9.

Oklahoma finishes Biola’s season for second time

This was the second straight year in which Biola lost to Oklahoma Baptist in the quarterfinal round.

The Eagles got off to a rocky start, training 33-19 at halftime, but pulled within ten points at the 17:17 mark in the second half. Senior Davey Hopkins sank a free throw to make the score 36-26, but with just under 15 minutes left, Oklahoma Baptist opened up a 15-point lead at 45-30.

By the 14:01 mark Oklahoma Baptist found themselves up 51-30 and were looking to cruise to an easy victory.

However, Biola climbed back. A two-pointer from Hopkins brought the Eagles within five points and put the game back in reach at 56-51 at the 3:15 mark.

It was too little too late for Biola, as Oklahoma Baptist limited the Eagles to just four points the rest of the way and finished with a 67-56 win and a spot in the semifinals.

Hopkins leads Eagles in loss

Hopkins led Biola with 18 points and junior Given Kalipinde nearly claimed a double-double by pulling in nine rebounds to go along with his 13 points. Oklahoma’s Emmanuel Wilson led all scorers with 20 points.

Eight points of turnovers and 17 points from the bench proved to be the difference maker for Oklahoma, in addition to 41 percent shooting from the 3-point line.