LA MIRADA, Calif.—Biola University held Dominican to just 27.5% shooting from the field, and 31.3% from three-point range to fly past the Penguins in a 67-45 victory Saturday evening at Chase Gymnasium. 
 
The Eagles (12-7, 8-5 PacWest) overpowered the Penguins (4-15, 4-9 PacWest) on the defensive end in the first half, allowing just 12 points as Dominican entered the locker room at halftime shooting 16% from the field. Biola's Michael Bagatourian led the Eagles to take advantage on the offensive end, earning a double-double of 19 points, 12 steals, and added four assists to his stat line. Alex Wright followed closely behind with 17 points, shooting 75% from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range, while collecting six rebounds and five blocks.
 
The Penguins' offense awakened in the second half, but it was not enough to erase the first-half deficit. Jaelen Ragsdale led the Penguins in scoring with 14 points, four rebounds and one steal, while Jordan Williams recorded 10 points, three rebounds, one block and one steal. 
 
After 4:37 into regulation, Chris Rossow led the Eagles to a 7-2 lead with a three-pointer from the top of the arc. Romeo Mays retaliated as Jordan Williams drove to the basket and kicked it out to Mays on the perimeter for three. But on the following drive Biola sparked an 18-0 run, capped off with a pass from Marquise Mosley to Zanen Zeller underneath the basket for a lay-up off glass, forcing Dominican Head Coach Booker Harris to call a timeout with 5:46 left to go in the half and Biola with a 25-5 advantage. The Penguins and Eagles traded baskets until the end of the half, and Biola held a 33-12 lead over Dominican going into the locker room. 
 
Returning from the break, Dominican caught fire on the offensive end as Sam Averbuck, Ragsdale, and Mays sank consecutive three-pointers to bring the Penguins within 15 of the Eagles. But Mosley denied the Penguins of a comeback, going on a quick 5-point run of his own to bring Biola's lead back to 20 with 16:13 left in the second half. 
 
With under four minutes remaining, Jordan Williams grabbed an offensive board and put it back in for an attempt to bring Dominican within distance of catching up to the Eagles. On the following possession, Bagatourian and Mosley connected once again as Mosley sank another three-pointer to give Biola their largest lead of the game at 64-38. The Eagles allowed just seven points from Dominican throughout the end of regulation to earn the victory.


The Penguins return home to the Conlan Center on Feb. 1 as they host Fresno Pacific University for Summer Camp Kickoff Day. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PST, and live video and stats will be available online.