LA MIRADA, Calif. – Women's basketball overcame streaky shooting in the second half to nest a 62-54 win over Biola at Chase Gymnasium Saturday evening. Despite leading by as many as 14, VU was never allowed comfort, as the Eagles shot 61.5% in the final quarter and outscored the Lions 18-12.

The Blue and Gold's first trip to La Mirada since 2017 sets them to 15-7 and 13-3 in the Pacific West Conference. The Eagles drop to 7-19 as VU sweeps the season series.

Among the night's standout performers, Sarah Matossian helped keep the Lions glued together, piling up 28 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. She shot 11-16 from the field and went 5-10 from beyond the arc.

Jaryn Madsen was also key in cementing the win, nailing timely shots in her 16-point performance on 6-10 shooting and 4-8 from deep. Emma Schaaf clocked eight points and eight rebounds, while Halle Si'i marked a game-high seven dimes. BU's Laila Walker led the three Eagles in double-figures, as she finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.

In a game of rampant runs and critical three-point shooting, both teams found a stride from three-point territory. VU went 36.4% (12-33) from downtown while Biola went 34.6 (9-26). The Lions found a dominant 19-6 advantage in points off turnovers. Both teams saw an absence of free throws, with just eight attempts taken between them.

What Happened?: Schaaf and Matossian combined for all 16 of the first quarter points for VU, as the Lions were quick to the races. BU snatched a brief lead 7-6 through a Walker triple before Schaaf converted on the inside to hoist the Lions back in front. The Blue and Gold capped a patient possession with a Matossian bucket late in the shot clock to make it 11-7 VU. Schaaf closed the quarter as she started, burying a three for a 16-13 first-period finish.

Biola's offense took a step back in the next interval, shooting 33.3% (4-12) to VU's 41.2% (7-17). Both teams, however, slowed down from deep, with each going 2-8 (25%) from three respectively.  Matossian got to work at the blocks for her 10th point of the contest, while Madsen and Hudson helped add to the 6-0 start. With 3:31 left in the half, the Eagles snipped the Lion lead down to five (26-21) in hopes of closing the quarter on a run. VU was lifted by a 6-0 Madsen burst, as Si'i's kick-out pass put Madsen in position for her eighth point of the quarter to close out the half 32-23.

Vanguard took a shock to system out the break, surrendering a 5-0 swing to get the second half underway. Ashlin Crabtree nailed her first three-pointer out of the VU timeout to make it 35-28, which would spell the only Lion field goal in the next five minutes and the only VU point outside Si'i's lone free throw. The Eagles struggled to take advantage of VU's poor shooting until the 4:00 mark, with a BU bucket making it 37-33 VU. The Lions would shoot out on a 13-3 run to retain distance 50-36 with Madsen claiming eight of the points on a decisive push.

BU built momentum with another fast quarter start, evaporating the VU buffer down to six (50-44) with 7:28 left. Matossian hit a long jumper to end the 8-0 run. Then produced her own 8-0 run in response, clipping two three-pointers in transition to plant the scoreline at 58-47 VU. The Eagles were back with a punch from deep out of the timeout and once again poke at the lead. The Blue and Gold pulled down three offensive rebounds on a late trip down the floor to run down the clock and pinch the Eagle momentum, as Matossian pounced on a loose ball and flipped one in off the glass for 60-52 VU.

The Eagles burned a timeout and took one to the rack to climb closer, but VU had the keys to lock the door, as Si'i delivered on a downhill drive and Vanguard held control for a win in La Mirada. What's Next? Women's basketball looks to split the season series at Westmont, on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m.

What's Next?: Women's basketball looks to split the season series at Westmont on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m.