The Biola women’s basketball team won two games this week, beating the University of California Merced away on Nov. 15, and returning home to beat La Sierra University on Nov. 19. The Eagles are now on a five-game winning streak and hold an overall season record of 5-1.
UC Merced held with the Eagles throughout the first half. Biola was eight for 26 from the field and turned the ball over 12 times. The Eagles still managed to hold on to a two-point lead going into the half with a score of 25-23.
What proved a close game in the first half ended as anything but in the second. Biola finished the game outscoring UC Merced 31-11 in the second half thanks to the Bobcats 16 percent field goal shooting.
This marks the second time this season the Eagles outscored their opponents by 20 in the second half. On Nov. 7 Biola had a second half score against Simpson University of 45-25.
Senior forward Chelsea Hill led the Eagles with 12 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. Biola also received a big push off of the bench from junior guard Annie Park. Park ended the game with 10 points and two assists.
Biola returned home to beat La Sierra 86-50 Nov. 19. After a 32 first-half lead, the Eagles were able to coast to victory.
The Eagles outscored La Sierra 47-15 in the first half. Biola has not led a team by that large of a margin in at least four years. They shot above 50 percent from the field and behind the arc, grabbing 25 team rebounds.
“Looking inside first [was the key to victory],” said Park. “We focused on our post play given the fact that we had size. Then once they started crowding on the inside we started to get easy buckets on the outside. It was a very good team win.”
La Sierra played a much closer second half, scoring 20 more points than they did in the first. Junior forward Taylor Casey scored seven points and grabbed five boards off the bench for Biola. The Eagles finished the second half outscoring La Sierra 39-35.
Biola plays the 4-0 ranked Westminster College at home on Nov. 22. Last season the Eagles lost to Westminster 62-34. The last time Biola beat the Griffins was Feb. 21, 2008.
“[We’re] Just taking one practice at a time,” said Munger. “Watching film, scouting them, working hard to get better everyday, learn from our mistakes and come at them on Saturday.”
The Eagles now hold a season record of 5-1, maintaining the third best win percentage in Golden State Athletic Conference.
