LA MIRADA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific fell in its 2020-21 season opener, losing by a final of 86-77 to Biola on Friday evening. Brennan Rymer led the Cougars with 21 points, and Sasha French recorded a double-double in his first game as a Cougar with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Rymer and French were joined in double digit scoring by Ben Avera (12) and Ken West (10). Avera also grabbed five rebounds.
 
How it Happened: The teams battled back and forth through the first 10 minutes or so of action, with neither team taking a lead greater than six points. Biola grabbed momentum at the 8:24 mark, when the Eagles converted on an and-one opportunity to take a 22-17 lead. Biola would extend its lead to as large as 17 in the first half, when Jesse Elrod hit a three-pointer to make it 36-19 with 2:57 on the clock. The Cougars were able to slow the bleeding a bit over the final three minutes of the first half, entering the break down 41-30. While the Cougars were able to pull within single digits in the second half, including a deficit as small as five points at 79-74 with a little over a minute remaining in regulation, the Eagles consistently scored timely baskets that kept the game out of reach for the visiting Cougars.
 
Turning Point: Through the first seven minutes of the second half, the two teams traded baskets and Azusa Pacific was able to pull within nine points at 57-48 with 13:36 left in the contest. Over the next six minutes, Biola seized control of the game as the Eagles went on a 11-2 run to take a 66-50 lead with 8:36 on the clock. Though the Cougars would make it interesting late, the mid-half run was too much to overcome and allowed Biola to walk away with the victory.
 
By the Numbers: One of the most telling statistics of the game was Biola's dominant offensive production in the paint. The Eagles poured in 44 points in the lane, while the Cougars tallied just 22 points in the paint. Biola also outrebounded the Cougars by a 46-35 margin, and the Eagles shot 50% from the floor compared to 42% for the Cougars. Azusa Pacific hit 12 three-pointers in the game, five of which were over the final eight minutes of the game that allowed the Cougars to keep the game relatively close down the stretch.
 
Up Next: The Cougars will have the opportunity to get right back at their rivals tomorrow, as the Eagles will travel to Azusa for a 5:00 p.m. tip in the Felix Event Center. The game will be streamed free of charge on Cougars All-Access.