Junior Colin Bossio fights past Vanguard freshman Zach Allmon to the basket during the game on Feb. 8. Men’s basketball held on to an early second half lead to hand GSAC foe Vanguard their first conference loss. | Tomber Su/THE CHIMES

The Eagles put an end to Vanguard University’s hopes of an undefeated run in the Golden State Athletic Conference game on Saturday. Biola defeated the Lions 72-64. The win puts Biola’s season at 15-9 overall and 5-3 in conference play.

Biola’s strength came in the paint. The Eagles had a total of 20 offensive rebounds and 30 defensive. Biola produced 26 of their points in the paint in the first half alone.

“Offensively we just wanted to take care of the basketball,” junior guard Pierre Zook said. “We looked to get inside and out and move the basketball around.”

The Eagles ended the first half leading 31-24, shooting 50 percent from the three-point line.

The second half quickly became a physically challenging game. Biola was able to get a larger lead on the Lions and were up 48-33 with 10 minutes left to play.

Senior forward Andre Murillo went down with nine minutes left in the second half. While he was able to get up and be helped off the court, he did not return to the game. Murillo put up 10 of Biola’s points.

With only 21 seconds left in the game freshman guard Dakari Archer grabbed an inbound pass and took off for a fast-break layup. Archer was fouled by forward Tino Zaragoza, the foul was ruled a technical and Archer became the second player from Biola who had to sit out because of an injury.

Archer was another big scorer for Biola with 19 points.Twelve of those points were made in the second half alone.

The Eagles were able to keep their focus despite the multiple fouls that occurred during the last two minutes and finished the game 72-64.

Biola will face off against San Diego Christian on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.