The women’s basketball team trounced a struggling Hope International University, 87-52, on Tuesday night at Darling Pavilion in Fullerton. The Eagles have won nine of their last 11 games. Hope drops to 1-17 overall and are still winless at 0-10 in the conference.
Sophomore Jenna French contributed 18 points in the victory, which was just another testament to the Eagles’ turnaround from one year ago.
Talk about flipping the numbers: through 18 regular season games last year, the Eagles were scrapping for wins and held a record of 5-13. This year, they are sitting pretty at 13-5 and have sole possession of fourth place in the GSAC at 6-4.
For comparison, Biola has only won six GSAC games in each of the last three seasons and has not won more since winning 11 in 2003-04.
Last Saturday, however, the women’s turnaround was dealt a brief setback when Cal Baptist upset the Biola by a score of 74-65 at Chase Gymnasium.
The Eagles struggled to protect the ball and had 24 turnovers, 10 more than the visiting Lancers, but were still able to keep the game close. With only 2:41 to play, two free throws by senior Megann Alberts brought to Eagles to within one point. However, seven consecutive points by Cal Baptist forced the Eagles to foul to regain possession, but the game was essentially out of reach.
Alberts led the Eagles offensively with 21 points, and freshman guard Charrise Reece also contributed 11 points and two steals. Sophomore forward and reigning GSAC player of the week Jessilyn Conicelli pulled down 10 rebounds, but foul trouble limited her minutes and ultimately ended her evening with 6:45 to play.
Fellow sophomore Christina Barclay filled in admirably for Conicelli, also recording 10 boards and came up with some important baskets in the last few minutes, but also fouled out with three minutes to play, leaving Biola with precious little depth at the post position.
The women are set for another GSAC battle against No. 12 Point Loma Nazarene University today at Chase Gymnasium. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.
