The Biola men’s basketball team hosted the University of Antelope Valley on Nov. 17. After leading at halftime by only five points, the Eagles ran away with the lead to produce a final score of 73-57.
STRONG DEFENSE
Senior guard Terrell Funches sparked an early run for the Eagles, sinking a three right after the tip-off. Strong defense and quality shots led Biola to an 11-0 lead five minutes into the game. The Pioneers brought Biola’s lead to within two with nine seconds to go in the first half, but junior guard Dakari Archer increased the lead to five by draining a three. The Eagles entered the half with a 38-33 lead.
Archer, who leads Biola with an average of 18.3 points per game this season, carried the team in the first half with 10 points and two assists. Freshman guard Trevor Treinen contributed eight points of his own, and Funches recorded four more points and rebounds after his opening triple.
RUNNING AWAY WITH A WIN
The Eagles ran away with the lead from the opening minute of the second half and did not look back. Biola scored seven points before the Pioneers were able to answer, but by then it was too late. The Eagles finished the game 16 points above Antelope Valley, resulting in Biola’s seventh straight win this season.
Treinen scored 12 second half points, resulting in a team high of 20 points on the game in only 22 minutes of playing time. Archer finished the game with 17 points, five assists and five rebounds, and junior forward Jeff Gonzalez led Biola in rebounds at nine, including four from the offensive end of the floor.
Of the Eagles’ 72 points, 43 of them were scored in the paint. This is as much a sign of Biola’s offensive efficiency as it is Antelope Valley’s weak interior defense as they also allowed the Eagles to grab 13 offensive rebounds.
NEXT TRUE CHALLENGE
While Biola holds an undefeated season record seven games into the season, they have yet to play any school they lost to last season. The 2014-2015 men’s basketball team kicked off the season with a nine-game winning streak, but lost 15 of their last 22 to finish the season barely above .500. The next true challenge for the Eagles will be on Nov. 24 against Bethesda University.
Until then, Biola’s focus will be set on the Hope Classic hosted by Hope International University on Nov. 20. The Eagles are scheduled to play Tougaloo College in Miss. and Westminster College located in Utah.
