COLLEGE BASKETBALL : 10th-Ranked Biola Rallies to Overcome Early Defict, Beats The Master’s, 79-70

After leading by as many as 10 points in the first half, The Master’s College lost to Biola, 79-70, Tuesday night at Biola.

The loss to the Eagles, who are ranked 10th in the National Assn. of Interscholastic Athletics, spoiled Pete Coeler’s 30-point performance for The Master’s. Coeler hit 10 of 13 field-goal attempts and 10 of 10 free throws.

“We played about as well as we are capable of playing,” The Master’s Coach Randy Stem said. “They’ve got some good athletes. We are just a bunch of skinny kids.”

The Mustangs jumped to a 20-10 lead when Coeler hit a 20-footer with little more than 11 minutes left in the first half. Biola closed the gap and led, 40-38, at the half, despite Coeler’s 21 points.

Biola used an 11-3 run early in the second half to build its lead to 51-41. With 6:47 left in the game, Coeler scored on a jumper and was fouled. His free throw cut the Biola lead to 65-59.

With 4:28 remaining, the Mustangs cut Biola’s lead to 67-64 on two Coeler free throws, but The Master’s was unable to get any closer. The Master’s turned the ball over twice in the next minute, both of which led to Biola baskets.

The Master’s, losers of 12 straight, is 5-17. Biola improved to 19-2.

The Master’s 38 32 -- 70

Biola 40 39 -- 79

THE MASTER’S--Coeler 30; Byrd 15; Hahn 14; Harraway 7; Boehm 2; Davis 2.

BIOLA--Eichelberger 12; Hutt 14; Harvey 12; Barnes 9; Hicks 6; Biggs 2; Laster 7; Thompson 2; Octave 4; Hook 3; Johnson 8.