One of the most difficult parts about keeping up with Biola athletics is the January divide when most students are absent from campus. While students enjoy time at home or participate in rigorous interterm classes, Biola teams continue to compete.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Men’s basketball has arguably established themselves as currently the most successful Biola team, going 6-3 since school let out in December.
Following a blowout 83-56 loss at home to Trinity Western University on Dec. 20, the Eagles returned to action against University of Victoria following a short Christmas break. Despite trailing by five at the half, Biola held their opponent to under 30 percent shooting from the field to defeat the Vikes 69-61.
Biola opened 2014 with a loss to University of Saskatchewan but would win their next two games, including a 74-66 Golden State Athletic Conference opener against Westmont College.
Since back-to-back losses to No. 20 Vanguard University and San Diego Christian College, the Eagles are on a three game win-streak. Last week’s victory over No. 23 Hope International University and double-overtime thriller against No. 8 Concordia University Irvine have vaulted Biola into second in the GSAC standings.
Senior forward Andre Murillo, junior forward Mike Kurtz, sophomore guard Pierre Zook and freshman guard Dakari Archer are all averaging double digits per game with Murillo leading the team with 16.9 points per game. Zook has been outstanding from outside the arc, leading the team with a .466 three-point percentage.
With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Eagles look to capitalize on their remaining GSAC match ups, which include a Saturday showdown with conference undefeated foe Vanguard.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Also on the court for the Eagles has been the substantial turnaround by the women’s basketball team.
After starting the season 0-10, Biola went 5-0 between Dec. 10 and Jan. 7. The Eagles dropped their first two conference games, which included a 87-32 embarrassment at the hands of the No. 1 ranked Vanguard Lions.
Biola would come out three days later and snag their first GSAC win against SDCC. The win was largely attributed to the Eagles’ inside production and foul drawing, as they scored 40 points from free throws alone.
After dropping two more conference games to ranked opponents, No. 9 Master’s and No. 21 Hope International, the Eagles set the tone on Biola “Super Saturday” and defeated Concordia to move ahead of San Diego Christian in the GSAC standings.
The Eagles are led by senior center Adijat Adams, who leads her team in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks, assists and free throw percentage — almost every category.
Currently holding a 7-15 overall record, the Eagles sit tied for fifth with Concordia. With games still to play against Arizona Christian University, Concordia and San Diego Christian, there is no reason to believe this team can’t salvage a horrible start to the season and pick up a win or two in the postseason.
Both baseball and softball kicked off their seasons during the interterm period and have established themselves with wins already.
BASEBALL
After winning their season opener against University of Antelope Valley 6-0, the Eagles lost their next four, including a three-game sweep by No. 10 Master’s. Biola was outscored 15-4 in the series and gave up 26 hits over the three games.
The Eagles would rebound the next weekend, taking two of three from Westmont including a crazy 7th inning in the final game where Biola scored two unearned runs to win the game, 7-6.
Biola lost a doubleheader against the College of Idaho on Monday to drop their record to 3-7. The Eagles take the field this weekend with a big two-game series against Arizona Christian in Phoenix.
SOFTBALL
As for softball, at 4-0 the ladies are off to their best start since 2007 when they started 6-0.
In four games, the Eagles have only given up two runs, while putting up 23 runs against their opponents.
Senior CeCe Luster and junior Reba DePriest gave up a combined four hits in two games to La Sierra University, shutting them out 1-0 and 4-0 in both games. On the offensive side, junior second baseman Ashley Spadt has put up solid numbers so far, recording seven hits and a .583 batting average. Luster homered to start the second game against Southern Oregon University and is hitting .462 over the first four games.
The spring season is in full swing, and Biola continues to find ways to put themselves into post-season play. With a flurry of young talent and experienced leadership from upperclassmen, both basketball teams, baseball and softball appeared to be primed for successful competition.
To see photos from recent games, matches and meets, view the Winter and Spring Sports Montage.
