The #14 Biola Eagles (12-4, 4-2) will travel to Santa Barbara on Tuesday to renew a men's basketball rivalry with #22 Westmont (12-5, 5-2) at Murchison Gymnasium. The two teams will meet for the 87th time since 1940. In the 1942-43, and 43-44 seasons, at the height of World War II, the Westmont Wildcats (as they were known at the time) played only two games each year - home and away against the Biola Preachers.


According to Westmont archivist Corey Thomas, Westmont changed mascots to the Warriors at the beginning of the 1948 season. Since 1952, Westmont holds a slender 44-42 series advantage. The Eagles are currently in fourth place in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings, one-half game behind the Warriors. A game ahead of the Warriors is San Diego Christian which defeated Biola on Saturday night 67-57 in El Cajon.


The prior Saturday, Westmont paid a visit to the Hawks of San Diego Christian and came away with a 76-65 victory. On top of the GSAC standings are the Azusa Pacific Cougars who have notched victories over both Westmont and Biola. The Cougars will host the Hawks in Azusa as Westmont and Biola face off in Santa Barbara. The Eagles are led offensively by 6-7 senior forward Brandon Warner who averages a double-double of 17.4 points (3rd best in the GSAC) and 10.0 rebounds per game (2nd best in the GSAC).


Warner sports a 59.6% field goal percentage which is second best in the conference. Also making a impact under the basket for the Eagles is 6-5 junior forward Spencer Forward with 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Solomon Mercado, a 6-0 junior guard with 10.4 points per game is the Eagles strongest outside threat. Biola leads the conference defensively allowing only 60.9 points per game and holding their opponents to a field goal percentage of 41.0%. They also boast a turnover margin of +3.56 which is second best in the conference.


Westmont's 6-8 junior center Santiago Aguirre was on fire for Westmont's two road games last week. He scored a career record 23 points and 12 rebounds at Vanguard on Tuesday, and then rewrote the scoring record at California Baptist with 28 points. Aguirre is averaging 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Also leading the Warriors' offensive charge is 6-4 senior forward Nick Debban who has recorded 11.1 points and 5.8 points per game and 6-3 senior guard Kevin Bartel with 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.


Sophomore point guard Josh Ware (6-0), who knocked down two three-pointers in the last 45 seconds of regulation to send Saturday's game at California Baptist into overtime, has tallied 8.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 rebounds per contest. Freshman guard Tyler Dutton (6-3) adds 9.6 points per game to the Warrior cause. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's game which begins at 5:30. General admission tickets are $5, students are $3 and children 14 years of age and under are free. Westmont students, faculty and staff are admitted free of charge.