Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse)

San Francisco, CA -- The Academy of Art University women's basketball team remained determined through a second half burst by Dixie State to earn a 60-59 victory on a jumper by junior forward Ariel Dale with 24 seconds left at Kezar Pavilion Tuesday night. After amassing an eight-point lead at halftime, the Urban Knights fought back from being down by as many as seven points midway through the second period. In another complete team effort, junior guard Nicol Biesek posted a team-high 14 points, sophomore forward Alisa Griggs turned in her fourth double-double of the year (10 points, 10 rebounds), Dale contributed six points including the game-winner as well as a season-high 10 rebounds, and junior center Juliua "Juju" Fraser added 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting off the bench.

ART U came out of the gate very hot to take an early 11-point lead after just eight minutes of play. A 12-1 run by the Urban Knights began with a layup by senior guard Devin London and was later extended by a basket by Griggs off a feed from junior guard Jordan Rogers to make it 12-5 at 14:41. Griggs would turn around and find Biesek for a triple and then it was Fraser who came in to provide production off the bench.

"We talked about starting the game with a better first half," head coach LaNay Larson said. "I thought we were patient and got good shots in the first half. It was nice to convert. I felt like we got a little complacent with a lead, but that's somewhere we haven't been yet."

Senior guard Lorraine Etchell got Fraser going after back-to-back buckets in the paint at the 12 minute mark. A quick 5-0 surge culminating in London's layup helped Academy of Art grow its biggest lead of 13 points (24-11), but Dixie State then responded with an 8-0 run to come within five points. The Knights rode Fraser's hot streak and went back up 10 late in the half before a final jumper by DSC's Sheila Adams made it 32-24 at halftime.

"Juju gave us great minutes especially in the first half," Coach Larson said. "She did exactly what I asked of her; just catching, finishing, and playing good defense."

To open the second half, the Red Storm went on a 12-3 run which gave them the lead, 36-35, after five minutes of play. The momentum shifted to Dixie's side from that moment as the visitors would remain ahead and eventually were up 47-40 with just over 10 minutes left. DSC's lead hovered at that margin briefly before an 11-2 ART U burst came starting with a Biesek 3-pointer. Griggs and London each added layups in the comeback before Dale tied the game 51-51 and Fraser returned to put Academy of Art ahead.

What may have looked like an uphill battle following a 6-2 Dixie run which put them up by four, 59-55, ended up instead setting the stage for the Knights' ability to will a victory. First, a Rogers layup cut into the lead and then Griggs was sent to the foul line where she made one of two, bringing ART U to within one, 59-58, heading into the final minute. Dale stepped up as a closer in that last stretch by grabbing an offensive rebound, knocking down the difference-making basket with 24 seconds left, and as Dixie tried to push ahead in its final possession, Dale rejected a potentially game-winning layup. When the dust had settled, Academy of Art stood victorious 60-59.

"I also thought Nicol gave us good minutes and knocked down big shots when we needed them," Coach Larson said. "Lorraine played some great lockdown defense and Ariel gave us the spark in the second half that we needed with a key rebound and great play on both ends of the court."

The Urban Knights, who captured their first PacWest win of the year and defeated Dixie State for the first time in program history, were led by 14 points from Biesek who went 6-for-11 from the floor. Griggs added the 10 points and 10 rebounds to compose her double-double while Fraser added a career-high 10 points off the bench. The game's heroine, Ariel Dale, finished with six points and 10 rebounds and London contributed nine points as well. Academy of Art University is now 5-5 overall, 1-1 in PacWest play.

"I'm proud of my seniors," Coach Larson said. "Devin and Lorraine are providing great leadership at the guard spots and making great decisions."

For the 6-4 Red Storm who moved to 1-1 in PacWest action with the loss, Becca Thomas had 16 points and seven rebounds. Adams and Hayes each added 14 points apiece, but they combined to go 10-for-27. Off the bench, Quorreah Joice put up eight points and six rebounds.

The Urban Knights' year-opening homestand continues this Thursday when Cal Baptist comes to Kezar Pavilion for a PacWest rematch. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.