The women’s basketball team lost to the Vanguard Lions 72-61 in a Golden State Athletic Conference match on Saturday in Costa Mesa.

Saturday’s game was the second time this season the Eagles were matched up against the Lions. On Jan. 12, women’s basketball lost to Vanguard at home 56-65.

“We played a good game the first time we played them so we only made a couple of adjustments,” head coach Bethany Miller said. “We focused in on their strengths more and tried to take those strengths away.”

Senior guard Becca DeVere put Biola on the board with a field goal within the first two minutes of the game to get the Eagles going. Biola took the lead in the beginning of the first half and led the Lions 7-0.

The Eagles lost the lead on Vanguard during the eighth minute, with the score dropping 12-11. Vanguard sustained the lead through the end of the first half, leading 32-25 at its close.

The Eagles’ offense struggled due to players having to sit out because of foul penalties. 

“We had foul trouble with some of the key offensive players,” DeVere said. “We needed those players to be on the court to help us out.”

Vanguard’s seven-point lead on Biola continued to grow in the second half. The Eagles struggled under the pressure from the Lions’ quick offense, behind 51-34 nine minutes into the half. Biola was not able to close the distance and lost to Vanguard 72-61.

The Eagles are now 11-12 overall and 2-6 in GSAC play. Biola will host San Diego Christian University on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m.