Box Score
Photo Gallery (images by Rob Garcia)

Laie, HI -- The Academy of Art University men's basketball had their highs and their lows in Monday night's game against BYU-Hawaii, including almost doubling their offensive production from the first half in the second period, but in the end it was not the result they were looking for, as they were defeated by the Seasiders at the Cannon Center by a score of 87-74. The Urban Knights had three players in double figures and shot almost 60 percent in the second half, but BYU-Hawaii held onto a lead that they had built up in the first half to hand the Knights the loss.

"I'm generally pleased with the effort tonight," said head coach Julius Barnes. "However, we had mental lapses that really hurt our chances. We didn't do a great job of getting out to shooters at times and they made us pay. Our post defense has to be better as well. We can't afford to allow the opposition to catch it low."

Basketball a game that is often decided by a run at one point, and that's just what happened to the Knights on Monday. They were step-for-step with the Seasiders for a majority of the first half, trailing 9-7 at the first media timeout and 11-9 at the 12-minute break. They would take a 15-11 lead on four straight points by Rodrigo Maza with 9:48 left in the half, and it see-sawed back and forth until Alex Carmon tied it up again at 19-19 with 5:18 on the clock. The Knights had it as close as 22-21 with 4:30 to go on another shot by Maza, but then BYU closed the half strong, finishing on a 10-2 run heading into the locker rooms to hold a 38-27 at the half. 

BYU-Hawaii would maintain that double-digit margin for the remainder of the game, holding off numerous advances by the Urban Knights as they made a valiant effort to get back in the game. It seemed that every time the Knights had a run going, the Seasiders would find a way to answer. ART U shot 57.6% from the field in the second half, doubling the amount of field goals made from the first half and improving their shots from beyond the arc as well, but BYUH matched, shooting over 60 percent from both the field and beyond the arc, and though the Knights scored the final seven points of the game, the Siders stayed just out of reach.

"We've got one more opportunity here in Hawaii," said Barnes. "We must improve our transition defense and close out to shooters. If we can do those things and minimize our turnovers, we will give ourselves a chance to win."

Alexis Moore had 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds. Maza had 12 first half points but picked up his fourth foul early in the second half, limiting his minutes. Freshman Herman Pratt IV had 10 points as well in 28 solid minutes for the Knights. Pablo Coro had 19 points to lead the way for BYU-Hawaii. The Knights finish up the road trip on Wednesday against Chaminade.