Box Score

San Rafael, CA – The Urban Knights brought home their 20th victory of the year by way of Saturday's 78-66 result in Academy of Art University's regular season finale against Dominican. After weathering an early burst by the Penguins, ART U used a 9-1 run to get ahead in the first half and essentially stay there for the remainder of the contest despite Dominican's best efforts to fight back. In the end, another double-double from senior Ariel Dale (20 points, 14 rebounds) led the way for the Knights.

"As a senior, it's all or nothing," Dale said. "So im treating every game like it my last and doing the little things like focusing on rebounding and getting stops; those little things to help us win and make it through."

Following a Senior Day ceremony honoring the Penguins, they took a page out of ART U's book and started out on fire. Approaching the midpoint in the first, Dominican held a 15-4 lead, but the surge did not last and steady play including four points by freshman Zoie Sheng brought the margin back down to five, 17-12.

A key 11-1 ART U run initiated by freshman Regina Camera's jumper off a Sheng assist then not only brought the Knights closer, but soon thrust them ahead. Junior Alisa Griggs and Dale began to steadily build upon the advantage which turned into four points, 32-28, after baskets by senior Juliua Fraser and freshman Jasmin Guinn.

"In the first half, we got a few transition baskets that helped us turn the momentum," head coach LaNay Larson said. "The second half, we had better shot selection and took care of the ball."

Up 34-32 at the half, Academy of Art briefly relinquished its lead at the start of the second period, but quickly unleashed an 8-0 run to go back ahead. That burst was highlighted by Dale's first 3-pointer of the season and helped ART U soon push it to a double digit difference. The stretch that followed saw the Knights heat up together as Camera scored then Griggs, senior Jordan Rogers, and Guinn each added buckets.

Dominican pushed back with a 9-3 burst of its own to make the score 56-52 with 11:12 to go. Griggs then scored four in a row and each time the Penguins crept closer, ART U would vault back ahead. Whether it be free throws or an important three-point play converted by freshman Sha'Nice Storey on a steal and breakaway, Academy of Art held tough down the stretch. The Knights made six of their last seven free throws to win it 78-66.

Dale finished with her second consecutive double-double after scoring 20 points (6-of-12 FG) and grabbing 14 rebounds while dishing out three assists. Griggs offered 14 points and 10 rebounds for also her second consecutive double-double. Both have spearheaded a recent domination by ART U rebounding the basketball and were again at the forefront in this 48-35 difference Saturday.

“Ariel came through huge,” Coach Larson said. “She is getting better and better every game. Alisa had a big second half and gave us an inside presence on the offensive end along with rebounds.”

Rogers finished with 10 points and five rebounds while Sheng had nine points and Camera contributed eight points.

Dominican (5-21, 4-14 PWC) had a team-high 18 points from Kimi Nakamura as well as 10 apiece for Lauren Hyatt and Sarah Nelson.

The Urban Knights are scheduled to face sixth-seeded BYU-Hawaii on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 12:30 PM in Azusa Pacific's Felix Event Center.

“Going into tournament on a six-game winning streak definitely helps give us confidence and momentum,” Coach Larson said.

“As a team, I think our momentum is shifting forward,” Dale said. “We want to win. We are not only saying it, but proving it. These last few games are prepping us for a post-season where we know we are coming up against great competition and we want to be ready.”