Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO — This time, it wasn't going to be the Academy of Art University men's basketball team that was left standing stunned.
 

Junior forward Nick Cary took one dribble on the right side and lofted a shot from 23 feet away, and as the buzzer sounded and the red lights lit up, the ball went through the net, giving ART U a thrilling 76-73 Pacific West Conference victory over Chaminade Monday at Kezar Pavilion.
 

NICK CARY HITS THE GAME-WINNER! He breaks a tie game with the triple at the buzzer to give @ART_U_MensBBall the 76-73 victory over Chaminade! PacWestMBB ArtSchool GooseIsLoose SCTop10 A video posted by Be Artist. Be Athlete. (@artu_knights) on Jan 19, 2015 at 9:50pm PST

Just seconds earlier, Chaminade's James Harper hit a game-tying 3-pointer from his own right wing to make it 73-73 with 4.7 seconds left in regulation. The Urban Knights (4-11, 2-7 PacWest) had 16.1 seconds to try and fend off a game-tying shot from the Silverswords (6-8, 3-5 PacWest) after freshman guard Jase Harrison only made one of two free throw attempts to keep it at a one-possession game.
 
Harper's off-balance stunner with mere seconds left in the game was déjà vu all over again for the Urban Knights, who twice saw then-No. 16 California Baptist hit clutch baskets to first tie the game, then win it in overtime on Dec. 16 on the same court.
 
Not this time, though. Sophomore guard Herman Pratt IV quickly received the inbound pass and dribbled straight up the floor as time started to tick down. Once he reached the halfcourt line, he saw Cary on the opposite sideline and fed him a straight-line pass. Cary knew time was waning and only took two steps closer before shooting what would be the game-winner.
 
The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Urban Knights and gave them their first-ever win as a program over Chaminade. Cary finished with six points – two 3-pointers – as well as four rebounds, an assist and a steal. Pratt was one of four double-digit scorers for ART U with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.
 
The end of the night may have belonged to Cary and Pratt, who connected on the game-winner, but the rest of the game belonged to sophomore guard Sergio Valdeolmillos. Valdeolmillos scored a career-high 15 points in a high-energy 30 minutes off the bench to help the Knights to the victory. He was part of an Academy of Art bench that outscored the Chaminade reserves 36-15.
 
Sophomore forward Tyler Sabino added to the bench's clutch performances when he made a 15-foot jumper from right of the key to give the Urban Knights a 72-70 lead with 32 seconds left. The Urban Knights were able to force a missed layup by Lee Bailey on the other end, which led to Harrison getting fouled and going to the line for clutch free throws in a two-point game.
 
Senior guard Alexis Moore was one rebound shy of his third double-double this season with 10 points and nine boards. Harrison logged his second straight double-figure night with 12 points in his second consecutive starting opportunity.
 
Chaminade had five double-digit scorers led by a game-high 18 points from Kuany Kuany. Frankie Eteuati had 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Kiran Shastri, Bailey and Harper each scored 12.
 
Academy of Art led by six (38-32) at halftime and never once trailed in the game. The game saw four ties, all in the final 10 minutes – two in the final minute. The Urban Knights' lead was never more than five points after the 14:26 mark of the second half.
 
Close games have been tough on the Urban Knights this season. Monday's win gave the team a 3-7 record in games decided by 10 points or less. But it was also the program's first victory over Chaminade in 12 tries.
 
Academy of Art looks to continue the momentum from Monday when it hosts Hawaii Pacific at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Kezar Pavilion.