LA MIRADA, Calif. - No. 16 Azusa Pacific dropped the second installment of the Cornerstone Cup on Saturday evening, falling to Biola by a 79-72 score. The Cougars will have to settle for a split on the series with the Eagles, as Azusa Pacific beat Biola 73-69 back in late January in the Felix Event Center. The Cougars are now 20-4 overall, and 15-2 in conference.

Kelly Heimburger poured in 24 points, going 9-for-15 from the floor, including 4-for-7 from distance, and she had four steals and two blocks. Paige Uyehara scored 14 points and dished out five assists, while TyLee Manuel and Amayah Kirkman each added 11 points.

How It Happened: While the Cougars would threaten to get back in the game throughout the evening, Biola would respond time and time again, hitting tough shots to keep the Cougars at a comfortable distance.

In the first quarter, the Eagles took a lead as large as 11 at 21-10 (1:51), and while the Cougars would remain within single digits through the remainder of the first half, Biola's lead never dropped below two possessions. At the half, the Eagles held a 41-34 lead.

The third quarter was the most lopsided in Biola's favor, as the home team posted a 28-18 advantage during the period, which allowed the Eagles to stretch their lead to as large as 19 points on two occasions. Entering the final 10 minutes of play, the Cougars found themselves trailing 69-52.

While Azusa Pacific showed a few glimpses of getting back into the game, the Cougars would get no closer than six points in the fourth quarter. With 32 seconds to go, Heimburger buried a three that made it 75-69 Eagles, but Eleni Cabrera would knock down two clutch free throws to push it back up to eight with 25 seconds to play. Uyehara would draw a foul with 22 seconds left and make two free throws of her own, but once again, the Eagles would respond with another pair of free throws with 15 seconds left to make it a three possession game at 79-71. The final point of the evening for the Cougars came on a free throw from Heimburger with 13 seconds left.

By the Numbers: Through the first three quarters of play, Biola went 13-for-25 from three, and the Eagles finished at 54% shooting (30-for-56) from the floor for the entire game. Azusa Pacific finished 27-for-65 overall (42%), and 11-for-32 from distance (34%). In addition to the Eagles' advantage from beyond-the-arc, the hosts also had the edge inside, posting a 32-24 advantage off points in the paint. The Cougars were able to stay in the game due in large part to their ability to force Biola into 20 turnovers, which Azusa Pacific converted into 23 points. Biola has now won the last two meetings in La Mirada between the two teams.

Up Next: The Cougars return home this week, when they host Hawai'i Hilo on Thursday, February 16 at 5:15 pm. The game will be the second to last home game of the season, with Senior Night set for Monday, February 20 at 5:15 pm against Hawai'i Pacific.