In Jackson, Tenn., the women’s basketball team kicked off first round action of 2009 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship by upsetting No. 9 team Trevecca Nazarene, 65-57. The Eagles were led by senior Megann Alberts and sophomore Jessilyn Conicelli who each scored 16 points.

Neither team looked particularly sharp in the early going; both teams shot under 30 percent in the first half. Biola hit just 28.6 percent from the field in the first half, but kept the game close by holding the Trojans to just 20 percent shooting. The Eagles went into the half trailing by one 22-21.

In the second half, both teams began to heat up. The Trojans used a 7-2 run to increase their lead over the Eagles, but Biola turned the tables and used an 11-2 run in the latter stages of the game to regain the lead. Conicelli would hit a couple of clutch free throws down the stretch and the rest of the Eagles followed suit, sinking six free throws in the last minute to hold off the Trojans and win 65-57.

Freshman guard Charrise Reece contributed 14 points for the Eagles, dishing out five assists and adding two steals and four rebounds. Sophomore forward Jennifer French rounded out the Eagles in double figures by scoring 11 points on the strength of three three-pointers.

The victory was the first NAIA Tournament win for the Biola women’s basketball program which is making its fourth appearance at the championships. It also gives the Eagles their first 20-win season since 2003-2004 and its third in the last 19 seasons. They have won 20 games just 10 times in the program’s history.

“This feels better than I thought it would,” said Alberts. “The team played so well out there today. Everyone is always telling us we are a young team, but we aren’t young anymore. We’ve made it to the national tournament, played a game and won that game. To be able to say that and to be a part of this is so incredible.”

“This was an emotional win for us,” said Head Coach Ken Crawford. “We’ve lost some close games down the stretch, but they were calm tonight, hit their free throws and played well down the stretch. As for our program, this was a milestone. We are excited and are going to enjoy it, then turn around tomorrow and try to do it again.”