Azusa Rolls On, but Mistakes Cost Biola in NAIA

TULSA, Okla. — Azusa Pacific inherited the role of front-runner Friday, but mistakes cost Biola a chance to advance on the second day of the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics men’s basketball tournament at the Tulsa Convention Center.

Second-seeded Azusa Pacific moved into its third quarterfinal appearance since 1994 with a 94-54 victory over Oklahoma City. But Biola lost, 75-72, in overtime to Science and Arts College of Chickasha, Okla.

Led by Caleb Gervin’s 23 points, the Cougars (35-2) face Faulkner of Montgomery, Ala., today. They are the highest-remaining seed after fellow Golden State Athletic Conference member Christian Heritage of El Cajon upset No. 1 seed Transylvania of Lexington, Ky., 77-67.

Biola (26-7) rallied from a 13-point first-half deficit and led Science and Arts, 68-62, with 1:33 remaining in regulation, but turnovers and missed free throws were costly.