Box Score

Azusa, CA – Urban Knights Women's Basketball experienced a true rollercoaster ride in its final stop of a three-game Southern California roadtrip on Monday evening. From down nine points to up 14 to tied with Azusa Pacific 73-73 with a minute to go, Academy of Art had one final long-range attempt to win the game in the final seconds, however, it did not fall and the Cougars pulled off a 74-73 win as time expired. Senior Jordan Rogers' team-high 14 points mixed with a dominant ART U bench, but it was not enough within the confines of the Felix Event Center.

"It was heartbreaking to lose another game at the end like that; three of our four losses in conference are by a combined five points," head coach LaNay Larson said. "We have to continue to grow and mature and get better at executing down the stretch. I'm hoping these situations will prepare us for March."

The first half had two unique acts. Though freshman Zoie Sheng nailed a 3-pointer in the game's first shot attempt and a triple by freshman Sha'Nice Storey later made it 8-4 ART U, Azusa Pacific responded by amassing a nine-point advantage (28-19) over the opening 10 minutes. The Cougars' Hannah Kenny had 11 points during that stretch to power her team ahead.

The APU lead would not go into double digits, however, because a 10-4 burst by the Urban Knights brought them right back in. Senior Ariel Dale got Academy of Art started with a short-range jumper and later six consecutive points from Rogers including a 3-pointer closed the gap.

In the final five minutes of the first half, ART U surged ahead to take the lead via a 13-2 run which saw a series of layups (one by freshman Jasmin Guinn off her own steal) and was capped by Sheng's second triple of the evening. That put the Knights up 42-36 at halftime and their rhythm continued into the second period.

"Our focus in timeouts was to attack and be confident on offense and get after it defensively," Coach Larson said. "We were constantly changing up defenses and the girls did a great job of pressuring to change the momentum of the game."

Academy of Art increased its advantage by extending the run into a 23-9 push spanning 11 minutes over the two halves. Sheng offered another 3-pointer from way downtown and then a steady diet of layups from freshman Regina Camera and Dale brought the Knights to a 57-43 lead with just under 13 minutes to play.

However, the Cougars made their move shortly thereafter. Nine unanswered points by Azusa Pacific brought them to within four and, though Guinn and Rogers made valiant attempts to keep their team in front, the Cougars took a four-point lead on a Kenny jumper to go up 73-69 with two minutes left. Crashing the offensive glass, Dale got a put-back then stole the ball and eventually Camera put in an easy two off the feed from Rogers.

So the teams were now locked at 73-73 with 1:05 left. An unintentional foul by Dale put Hardeman at the free throw line where she had been a perfect 5-of-5 to that point in the evening. She shockingly missed both, but off the second, Kenny managed to snag the ball as a variety of players had touches and call timeout.

Another foul then sent Maddy Barrett to the line where she split a pair and the final possession came to ART U now down by a single point. After looking for different options and using most of the clock by design, Sheng then launched a deep 3-pointer which hit the back of the rim and bounced out. The Knights did get a jump ball thereafter and had 0.4 seconds to attempt a shot, but it did not count and Azusa Pacific captured the 74-73 victory.

The Urban Knights, who are now 14-7 overall and 7-4 in PacWest play, had three players score in double figures led by Rogers' 14 points (including a trio of 3-pointers made). Guinn's 13 points (5-of-8 from the floor) came along with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals from Dale. Camera and Sheng each had nine points while senior Katy Wade added nine rebounds, five points, and four blocks.

Azusa Pacific (10-8 overall, 7-3 in PacWest) had two big stars on the night with Kenny (25 points, 16 rebounds) and Hardeman (23 points) combining for 48 of the team's 74 total points. Barrett added 10 rebounds and seven points.

Academy of Art University returns home to Kezar Pavilion this Saturday, Feb. 9 for a 1:00 PM pairing with Dixie State.