LA MIRADA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific opened the 2020-21 season with a 66-63 win over rival Biola on Friday afternoon, as Kayla Shaw led the Cougars with 19 points. Shaw was joined in double figures by Molly Whitmore, who scored 13, and Kelly Heimburger, who recorded a double-double in her collegiate debut with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jane Ersepke led the team in assists with four, and Alex Lowden was solid on both ends of the floor, tallying nine rebounds, seven points, three steals, and two assists.
 
How it Happened: It was a low scoring affair early on, with Biola holding just a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. After only scoring two field goals in the first quarter of play, the Cougars woke up offensively in the second, going 9-for-17 (53%) from the floor, including three triples. Heading into halftime, the Eagles clung to a slim 33-31 advantage, and the Cougars were able to take an lead early in the second half. Azusa Pacific went ahead 37-36 on a layup by Paige Uyehara at the 8:21 mark in the third quarter. Azusa Pacific would extend its lead over the remainder of the third, ending the period up 53-44. While the Cougars were able to grow the lead to as large as 11 in the fourth at 55-44 with 9:42 remaining in the game, Biola battled back. The Eagles used a 17-5 run to take a 61-60 lead with 3:53 remaining in the contest.
 
Turning Point: Despite the Eagles grabbing nearly all the momentum with their big run in the fourth quarter, Azusa Pacific remained poised and focused. The Cougars took the lead back on four straight clutch free throws, as Uyehara knocked down a pair at the 3:02 mark, and Whitmore converted on two attempts on the next possession, putting Azusa Pacific up 64-61 with just two minutes remaining. While Biola cut the Cougar lead to just one at 64-63 with 1:19 left, Whitmore sealed the deal for the Cougars on a loose ball that she scooped up off the floor, and laid in to make it 66-63 with just eight seconds on the clock. Biola was unable to get take a shot in its final possession, securing the season-opening victory for the visitors.
 
By the Numbers: A huge difference in the game came at the charity stripe, wheer Azusa Pacific went 13-for-17 (77%), while Biola shot just 35% (6-for-17). Though the Eagles made one more field goal then the Cougars, Azusa Pacific shot a higher percentage from the floor, knocking down 40% of its attempts compared to just 36% for Biola. The Cougars outscored the Eagles in the paint (30-26) and off of the bench (19-14).
 
Up Next: The two teams will be right back in action against one another tomorrow, as the Eagles travel to Azusa for a 2:00 pm tip-off. The games can be streamed live, free-of-charge, on Cougars All-Access.