Azusa Pacific, which came into the game ranked No. 3 in the NAIA preseason poll, was seemingly fighting an uphill battle all night despite holding a 27-26 lead at halftime. The Cougars’ icy shooting from opening tip was matched only by the chilly temperatures inside Biola’s “open-air” Chase Gymnasium, which is undergoing a remodeling project. Azusa Pacific missed 21 of its first 32 shots, including 14-of-18 from the 3-point arc. Nonetheless, the Cougars still held a 31-29 lead 2 minutes into the second half.
That’s when Biola’s Dave Newkirk went to work, sparking a 21-5 Eagle run by scoring 8 of his 13 points which included a pair of 3-point buckets. A Garnett jumper capped the run that gave Biola a 50-36 lead with 10:51 left in the game.
Azusa Pacific, however, did not fade away. Behind Larry English’s career-high 30 points, including 22 in the second half, the Cougars rallied back into the game. English’s top-of-key trey followed by a pair of free throws completed a 23-10 Cougar run that pulled Azusa Pacific to within 1 at 60-59. Garnett, though, kept the Cougars at bay with his 4 free throws in the closing seconds
Sophomore Spencer Foster was the only other Cougar who scored in double-figures, tallying 10 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds for his first-ever double-double.
Biola was paced by Terrell Young’s 22 points, who made 8-of-14 field goals, his last also being the Eagles’ last of the game, coming with 6:36 left to play. They then relied on their steely nerves at the free throw line to secure the victory.
Biola improves to 7-0 overall, 1-0 in the GSAC. Azusa Pacific falls 5-1 overall, 0-1 in the GSAC.
