Box Score

Nampa, ID -- ART U Women's Basketball bounced back from its Friday result with a strong second half push to elevate past Central Washington 73-64 as part of Northwest Nazarene's Fairfield Inn Classic on Saturday. Using a 17-4 run to close out its fifth victory of the season, the Urban Knights had major production from their senior class and a significant 11-1 second-chance points differential in the final period inside Johnson Sports Center. Senior Katy Wade led the way with an impressive night that included 18 points, 15 rebounds, five steals, and a new program-record six blocks.

"We turned it on when we really needed and had great composure down the stretch," head coach LaNay Larson said. "We executed great on offense and locked down on defense. I thought we did a great job of shutting down their scorers especially down the stretch."

The offense from both sides came in an early wave as freshman Regina Camera found senior Nicol Biesek for the first ART U points of the afternoon. Tough defense allowed the Urban Knights to execute a 9-0 run sparked by baskets from Wade and Camera.


Despite a two-minute scoring drought from the teams, senior Jordan Rogers would soon give her squad an 18-13 advantage by way of a triple at 11:25. The lead held as sophomore Madeline Martin provided a layup off the assist from Wade, but Central Washington would then proceed to make a move. The Wildcats used a 12-2 burst to retake the lead at 32-27.

Setting up the final three minutes on a positive note, senior Ariel Dale, the Pacific West Conference Player of the Week, ripped away a steal in the backcourt and led a break to Biesek. After another Rogers long ball, the teams traded free throw baskets in the last minute to ultimately end at a 39-34 halftime score.

Rogers struck again early in the second period with a 3-pointer to cut the CWU lead down to one. However, the Wildcats came back with six unanswered to give them what would end up being their biggest advantage at 47-40. ART U proceeded to grind the game down to a 52-52 tie by way of six points in the paint from Rogers and Dale combined (the Knights would score 34 in the paint on the night).

While Academy of Art was working its way inside and getting points from the foul line, Central Washington continued to threaten with shots from downtown. Daisy Burke and Hannah Shine each connected, but following the second occasion, ART U made its move and never looked back.

Wade scored four points, blocked two CWU shots, and then freshman Sha'Nice Storey provided an emotional surge through her three-point play on a fast break with 4:42 left. The 8-0 Knights run was capped by a Dale free throw, but the offense did not stop there as it became the 17-4 push with Dale and Wade delivering key baskets.

With under two minutes to go, Wade perhaps epitomized her team's determination with two offensive rebounds before a bucket in the paint to put ART U 70-62. The Wildcats attempted a comeback via more long range tries, but this game belonged to Academy of Art in the end, 73-64.

For the now 5-1 Urban Knights, Wade's final stat line was simply incredible. She finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds (fifth all-time for ART U), five steals, and six blocks. The six rejections reflect a new program-record, topping Jasmine English's previous high of five versus Dixie State in January of 2011. Perhaps even more amazing than her final line was the fact that Wade had 12 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in the second half alone.

"I put some pressure on Katy because I know she can be a dominant player at this level and know how talented she is," Coach Larson said. "She came through big time for us tonight. I'm proud of how she responded."

Also scoring in double figures was Rogers (16 points) and Dale (13 points). Rogers knocked down a trio of 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds as well. Dale came off the bench to capture eight rebounds and deal out two assists. Camera's seven points were complemented by four rebounds and four steals while Biesek added six points and four rebounds. Freshman Zoie Sheng craftily ran the offense, finishing with four assists for the Knights who defeated Central Washington for the first time in program history.

Burke had the team-high of 16 points for the Wildcats, sinking four 3-pointers in total. Amber Moser came through with 13 points and nine rebounds while Ally Schmitt did most of her damage at the foul line, making 10 of 11 en route to 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Coming into the Fairfield Inn Classic undefeated, Central Washington moves to 3-2 with the loss.

ART U makes its return to the Bay Area and starts Pacific West Conference play on Dec. 1 at local rival Notre Dame de Namur. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM in Belmont, CA.