Women’s basketball lost 77-71 against California State University, Dominguez Hills. The Eagles held the lead throughout the middle of the game, but ultimately were unable to finish off the Toros for the win. Redshirt sophomore Danita Estorga had a career-high game, scoring 22 points for the Eagles. Freshman guard Stephanie Lee was the second top scorer for BU with 12 points of her own.
The Eagles started behind at the beginning of the game as they went into the second quarter down, 16-9. They began putting more pressure on the Toro’s defense as Lee scored a three-pointer and then stole the ball to execute a layup at the basket.
Estorga secured the lead for the Eagles with an off-balance three-point shot just as the buzzer rang to end the second quarter. She got fouled in the process and tacked on an extra point to make it 37-33.
“I think our press is what really clicked that energy. As soon as we caused a lot of turnovers we realized that this team could not dribble and we had to take it to them,” Estorga said.
The Eagles came out of halftime still playing aggressively as they constantly worked to get the rebounds. Junior forward Jazz Benn had a number of baskets in the third to keep Biola ahead.
The Toros were not ready to roll over just yet, as they worked to close the gap and take the lead in the last two minutes of the third quarter.
With only five minutes left in the game, CSUDH had a 10 point advantage on the Eagles. Lee worked hard in these last minutes to regain possession of the ball for Biola. A three-point shot by Benn in the last minute of play threatened a Biola comeback win, but a foul for Biola sealed their fate.
The season is still very young and the ladies are already showing a lot of fight in their first two games. Lee is excited about how the team is going to show up to compete in the PacWest this year.
“I feel like every game we are getting better,” Lee said. “We are getting a better chemistry and just working harder, so I feel like going into this season we are going to do pretty well.”
The women’s team features only nine returners this year, but their roster has a lot of depth. Head coach Alan Nakamura is optimistic about the talented, but young group of ladies he has.
“We have a lot to build on and this team is really coachable, and really together. So it is just a matter of time before it comes together and we play complete games,” Nakamura said.
Women’s basketball will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 14 to host the Alaska Fairbanks. They will have some more games to get under their belts before they compete in their first PacWest conference game on December 5.
