OLIVER KIMOKEO | sports editor

The APU-Biola basketball games highlight the schedule for both universities. It does not matter where the teams are in the GSAC standings when they play. The Cougars and the Eagles play for school pride and bragging rights. There is always something to prove in this rivalry.

Women’s Basketball

AT THIS MOMENT: The women’s basketball team has established a 7-1 start in GSAC and are currently in a tie with Point Loma Nazarene and Vanguard for the No. 1 position in the conference. Biola has struggled in GSAC play with a 2-6 start with wins against Concordia and San Diego Christian.

LAST YEAR: APU swept the season series against Biola. On Jan. 23, 2007, in La Mirada, the Eagles took a 5-point lead into halftime. The Cougars recovered and won the game, 74-59. On Feb. 26, in Azusa, the Cougars dominated the battle from opening tip and never relinquish the lead to Biola; the Cougars won the game 88-76.

RECENT TRENDS: The Cougars have won the last three games of the series. The last Biola victory, a 92-91 overtime decision, occurred on Nov. 29, 2005.

COUGARS ON WHAT BIOLA WILL BRING: “We’re a lot better looking than they are,” head coach T.J. Hardeman said. “Biola is a good team though. We’ve seen them play and they have struggled a bit. They a post-dominated team and I like our post better over their post.”

“I don’t want to underestimate Biola,” senior guard Sarah Leathers said. “They’re a great team so I want our whole team ready to go.”

COUGARS ON GAME ATMOSPHERE: “I have always been impressed with the rivalry,” Hardeman said. “It’s great for the GSAC to have that many people there caring and cheering.”

“It’s going to be a crazy environment and I’m excited,” Leathers said.

“There’s going to be a lot of adrenaline and players will be nervous,” senior forward Abby Johnson said. “Once we start playing, we will settle down.”

BOTTOM LINE: The Cougars have proven themselves to be the better team at this junction of the season. Biola will start off with a valiant effort and keep the score close for awhile. APU will ultimately become too much for the Eagles to handle. APU has too much firepower in the post and on the outside to be denied the whole game. It’s a rivalry game so the Eagles will show up but the door will close on them before they have an opportunity to knock.

Men’s Basketball

AT THIS MOMENT: APU has started 4-4 in the GSAC with wins over Westmont, Hope International, San Diego Christian, and The Master’s. This is the first time since 1991-92 that the Cougars have been at .500 after eight conference games. Biola is 2-6 in GSAC with wins over SDCC and the Master’s.

LAST YEAR: APU swept the season series against Biola but it was not an easy task. APU defeated Biola 71-70 in the first game and 71-69 in the second game. Both games required a last second dramatic free throw to win the game and both games featured dramatic runs to close deficits. In the first game, the Cougars trailed by 11 with less than five minutes to go. In the rematch, the Eagles came back from 25 points down but the Cougars held on for another close win.

RECENT TRENDS: The Cougars have won the last five games of the series and 9 of the last 11 games. After suffering a 9-game losing streak to the Eagles from 1987 to 1993, the Cougars have won the last 24 of 32.

COUGARS ON THE RIVALRY: “It’s a coaching cliché but I care about the Biola game just as much as any other game,” head coach Justin Leslie said. “The biggest game of the year is the next game. That has to be the focus. If we, for a second, look past Saturday night toward Biola, it will bite us and we can’t afford to do that. At the same, we want to play well. It’s APU-Biola.”

“We have to bring the same intensity we’ve brought all season,” senior forward Davon Roberts said. “It’s going to be more harder because it’s a rivalry, so we got to play hard, play smart, and win on our home court.”

BOTTOM LINE: It’s no secret that the Cougars are struggling this year. They have the talent and the potential to play better but they are not comfortable in their own skin yet. Perhaps a win would ignite a fire underneath the Cougars. But a win against Biola will not be easy. The Cougars need to play determined, focused, and a willingness to execute the fundamentals. The Eagles will give APU a worthy game so the Cougars have to be consistent.