Box Score SAN FRANCISCO – Executing down the stretch, ART U Women's Basketball overcame Northwest Nazarene 76-72 inside Kezar Pavilion on Friday night. A 10-0 run late set up a clutch offensive rebound and put-back by junior guard
Jasmin Guinn and the eventual game-winning jumper by junior forward
Krystal Forthan with six seconds left. The Urban Knights had 18 points off turnovers in the second half to fuel the victory.
A close game from the very beginning, the teams were tied four times in the first four minutes. It was not until 12 minutes and 51 seconds left in the first half that either side went ahead by more than two points as a transition basket by NNU put them up 16-13. Shortly thereafter, the Knights went on an 8-0 run thanks to multiple fastbreak scores off steals by Forthan.
Academy of Art's five-point margin didn't last long, however, and three more ties ensued. Junior guard
Sha'Nice Storey knocked down two more 3-pointers down the stretch in the opening half, but the Crusaders finished the period on an 8-3 run to hold a 37-35 lead at halftime.
Northwest Nazarene's surge continued into the second half and became a 23-7 momentum shift, eventually giving the visitors a 13-point lead at 52-39 with much of the period still left. ART U started its comeback immediately with an 8-0 push on a layup by junior guard
Zoie Sheng and later a jumper from Storey cut the margin down to five.
Midway through the half, Forthan converted a layup and the Knights were within striking distance down 54-52. The Crusaders responded by getting to the foul line where they converted five times during a 7-2 run. That lead quickly dwindled as Academy of Art charged ahead on a 10-0 run that saw eight points in the paint capped by Storey's layup down court off senior guard
Molly O'Brien's outlet pass.
Both Forthan and Sheng each hit jumpers, but NNU mirrored the Knights with layups and the teams were knotted 70-70 heading into the final minute. With 56 seconds on the clock, though Forthan missed her jumper from the left wing, Guinn strategically wedged herself under the basket and scored a key put-back to give her team the advantage.
An unfortunate foul on ART U sent CoCo Gall to the foul line where she converted both to retie the contest 72-72, setting up a critical possession for the Knights. Sheng passed out of the double team to Forthan who proceeded to knock down another jumper from the edge of the key with six seconds left. NNU then called timeout, but Forthan managed to grab their deflected football pass and converted free throws to seal the 76-72 win.
The Urban Knights rise to 6-3 with the victory and featured four players scoring in double figures. Guinn and Storey shared the game-high with 19 points apiece. It was a career-high for Guinn who added 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season and Storey finished with three 3-pointers made. Sheng and Forthan each finished with 12 points with Sheng adding five assists and Forthan logging four steals.
Northwest Nazarene drops to 3-5 on the year despite a team-high 13 points from Taylor Simmons and game-high 14 rebounds pulled by Cierra White. Gall (11 points, 13 rebounds) and Katie Swanson (10 points, 11 rebounds) each had double-doubles as well.
ART U resumes PacWest Conference play on Tuesday, Dec. 16 when they host California Baptist at 5:30 PM inside Kezar Pavilion.
