box score

LA MIRADA, Calif. – Point Loma Nazarene missed on 19 of its 23 three-point attempts and missed 10 free throws, stats that haunted the team in a narrow 67-62 Golden State Athletic Conference loss at Biola Saturday evening.
 
After giving up a nine-point lead midway through the second half, senior Greg Murray nailed a pair of free throws to pull the Sea Lions within two points with 23 seconds left. But the Eagles converted a layup and three free throws down the stretch to snap the Sea Lions' four-game GSAC win streak.
 
The loss drops the Sea Lions to 16-7 overall and 9-5 in the GSAC. Biola improved to 18-8 overall, 8-6 GSAC.
 
By losing, PLNU missed out on a chance to take a share of the GSAC standings after first-place Westmont College lost at Hope International University. The Green and Gold still sit one game out of first in the GSAC.
 
Murray led the Green and Gold with 18 points on 5-10 shooting, hitting 7-8 from the free throw line. Senior Rhett Beal added 11 points and six rebounds.
 
Biola's Chase Adams and Given Kalipinde led all scorers with 19 points apiece.
 
The Sea Lions shot just 38 percent from the field but outrebounded the Eagles 33-26. Additionally, 15 offensive rebounds led to 18 second-chance points for the Green and Gold.
 
After Loma scored the game's first six points, the teams traded the lead throughout the first half.
 
With Biola leading by one, sophomore Anthony Ussery tipped in a missed 3-pointer to give the Sea Lions a 28-27 lead entering the break.
 
Five minutes into the second half, the score was locked at 32, and PLNU made a push to garner their largest lead of the night.
 
Leading by nine with just over 11 minutes remaining, the Sea Lions fell victim to a 10-0 Biola run that shifted the momentum. Two free throws by Andre Murillo, who finished a perfect 7-7 from the line, gave Biola a 45-44 lead.
 
PLNU fought back to retake the lead a couple of times, but the Eagles repeatedly got to the free throw line and slowly stretched their lead.
 
After Murray's final-minute free throws gave the Sea Lions hope, Biola put the game away. Freshman Javonte Sales' nailed a 3-pointer with three seconds left, but it was too late, and the Sea Lions picked up their first February loss.
 
On Tuesday, the Sea Lions will face a tough road test against NAIA No. 11-ranked Azusa Pacific University, who is tied with PLNU in the GSAC standings. Then on Saturday PLNU will host No. 25 The Master's College. Both games will begin at 7:30 pm.