LA MIRADA, Calif. – The FPU women's basketball team (4-11 overall, 0-9 PacWest) put together a strong first half against Biola (6-8 overall, 6-2 PacWest) on Saturday afternoon, but the Eagles were able to take over in the second half on their way to the 71-55 win.
 
"Biola is an incredibly tough team, and we knew coming down here we had to be at our best to walk away with a win," head coach Tim Beauregard said. "I thought for stretches in the game we showed the shot-making ability and connectivity defensively to win a tough game. At the end of the day, a few runs by them and some big-time shots at timely points in the second half stretched the game out of our reach."
 
Biola led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, but a 12-1 run from the Sunbirds with big buckets from Felicia Dourva, Bre Hurt and Lydia Manu cut the Eagles lead to 21-20 after the first period.
 
Hurt continued to have the hot hand in the second quarter, scoring five of their first seven points to give the Sunbirds a 28-26 lead halfway through the period.
 
With the game tied 30-30 with 4:33 remaining in the half, Biola opened things up to take a 40-32 lead into the break.
 
The two defenses came out of the locker room and took over to start the second half with only 10 combined points being scored through the first six and a half minutes of play.
 
A 3-pointer from Joleen Corona made it 45-40 with 3:19 left in the quarter, but that was followed by an 8-1 run from Biola to close out the period, and they took a 53-41 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.
 
The Eagles stretched their lead to 22 points with 7:28 remaining in the contest, but the Sunbirds responded, going on a 12-0 run over the next four minutes to get back within 10 points. But the Eagles found their groove, extending their lead back to 16 points and getting the win.
 
"I was impressed with our team's fight and desire to make it a game again in the fourth quarter, as we have done so many times," Beauregard added. "The 12-0 run in the fourth showed exactly what kind of team we are. We haven't and we won't stop fighting."
 
It was a career day for Hurt off the bench, scoring a career-high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds.
 
Corona knocked down three 3-pointers to score nine points, and Manu finished the game with seven points.
 
"None of us expected to be challenged so much this year, but because of these challenges, we've had the opportunity to grow in our resilience, our character and our togetherness," Beauregard said. "We know the second half of the season can be a different story, and we are excited to start that chapter next week."
 
The Sunbirds will have a week off before travelling to Oakland to take on Holy Names. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
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