LA MIRADA, Calif. – Three different freshmen had career nights for Concordia University Irvine on Friday during the Eagles trip to Biola.

Mac Stodart scored a career-high 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the floor to pace the visiting Eagles.  Drew Ramirez rocked the head band and also poured in 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting while handing out a season-high six assists.  Meanwhile, first-year guard Connor Gleason nailed two field goals and finished with a season-best four points.

However, CUI was unable to come away with the victory on Friday on the road, falling to the Red and Black, 82-65.

Biola built a 40-21 lead by intermission before CUI rallied with a 9-0 run to open the second half. Stodart drained his second three-pointer of the contest as part of that spurt, as CUI drew within 40-30.  

However, the hometown Eagles quickly awakened and went on a run of their own, extending their advantage again in a matter of minutes. Biola shot 55 percent from the floor, did not miss any free throw attempts, and was able to fend off the Green and Gold in the second half.

Stodart has now scored in double figures on six different occasions in his rookie campaign.  Ramirez has now accomplished the same feat in five different games.

"Our young players really battled but we need our returners to bring it tomorrow," said CUI head coach Ken Ammann. "It's up to us how we want to finish."

Concordia gets one more crack at Biola on Saturday afternoon, when the Eagles once again go head-to-head at 4:30 p.m. over at CU Arena.  Biola head coach Dr. Dave Holmquist enters Saturday with 999 career victories and has a chance to join an elite club of head coaches with his next victory.

Concordia will also host the women's rematch against Biola as part one of Saturday's doubleheader at CU Arena. The women's game is slated to begin at 2 p.m. No spectators are allowed to attend due to COVID-19 protocols but the games will be live streamed and live stats will be provided free of charge.

#CUITogether