Cal Poly transfer sophomore guard Daniel Esparza scored 19 points and freshman guard Nathan Medina added 14 points to help Biola win 83-48 against Cal State LA on Friday. The game against CSULA tipped off the season for Biola’s 2022-23 men’s basketball team. 

PLAYING THE WRIGHT WAY

Redshirt senior guard Alex Wright ignited the Eagles’ offense with a three pointer in the second quarter. Esparza matched his teammate with a three pointer of his own, giving Biola a 14-point advantage at the half. The Eagles’ offensive efficiency continued in the second half as the team strung together a 27-5 run. Biola incredibly shot over 50 percent from the field and from behind the arch which carried them to a 37-point victory. 

NEW FACES

The new additions to Biola’s roster scored 69 of the Eagles’ 83 points in the contest. 

“We think we’ve recruited some good players; they practice hard and are good teammates,” Coach Dave Holmquist said when describing this year’s recruiting class. Esparza led the way for his fellow newcomers, shooting a highly efficient 7 for 12 from the field followed by two three pointers. 

Redshirt freshman Maximo Milovich dominated in the paint by collecting 15 boards, four of them on the offensive side of the ball which created second-chance shot opportunities for his teammates. Sophomore forward Hunter Ruck, a transfer from UC Irvine, and Wright added nine boards each to Biola’s total. As a team, Biola’s post players found success by crashing the offensive glass, totaling 15 offensive boards which translated to 17 put back points. 

“We’ve got some good depth at the post position … [all the post players] are good players,” Holmquist said about the talent of his big men.

NEXT UP

The Eagles will make their home debut at Chase Gymnasium on Monday at 7 p.m. against Antelope Valley.