NAIA No. 2-ranked PLNU was upset by Biola Saturday evening in Chase Gymnasium 81-72. The Sea Lions overcome a 14-point first-half deficit but stumbled again in the second and trailed by as much as 11 before losing by nine.
It was the first loss for PLNU (6-1, 2-1 GSAC) this season. BU improved to 3-4, 2-1 in conference.
The Eagles dominated on the boards, out rebounding the Sea Lions 50-26. PLNU outshot Biola 45 percent to 43 percent, but the Sea Lions were just 4-of-19 from beyond the arc and 20-30 from the stripe.
"Biola played with a lot of energy and determination," said PLNU assistant coach Alan Nakamura. "They got a well deserved victory and will be force to be reckoned with."
Unranked Biola came out red-hot, scoring the initial seven points of the game. Things got worse for PLNU which would be down by 14 with 12 minutes to go in the first half. But sophomore forward PJ Hanson sank a three-pointer to start an 18-5 Sea Lions run over the next eight minutes that put the visitors up by one, 28-27.
PLNU helped itself in that stretch by making all six free throw attempts. A steal and layup by junior guard Amanda Franz extended PLNU's lead to a first-half high four points.
The two GSAC rivals traded leads over final minutes with Biola entering intermission with a 36-35 lead. That trend continued in the second half. PLNU led by four at 4:21, but it would be the final time that the Sea Lions were ahead Saturday. BU's Jessilyn Conicelli made sure of that by scoring 24 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
Behind Conicelli the Eagles gained control midway into the half and turned a single digit lead to 11 with four minutes to go.
PLNU, which struggled from long-range all night, started missing at the free-throw line as well and could was unable to get back into the game
Senior guard Liah Ector led the Sea Lions with 19 points and nine rebounds. Franz added 16 points and senior forward Colleen Planeta, who scored just two points through the first 20 minutes, ended up with 15 points.
The Eagles had four players reach double-figure points. Conicelli led with 24 with Jennifer French scoring 17. Chelsea French and Charrise Reese added 12 points apiece and Christina Barclay contributing 10 points.
PLNU has a few days off before hosting Robert Morris (IL) for a non-conference tilt this Friday starting at 7:00 pm.
