ROHNERT PARK, Calif.-Friday afternoon, the Urban Knights packed up and headed towards Rohnert Park to take on the San Francisco State Gators in their first game of the fifteenth annual Ron Logsdon Basketball Classic.
 
Right out of the gate, SF State enforced a full-court press which would continue throughout the game, forcing the Academy of Art to take very few attempts at the basket. If it had not been for the Gators' well-played defensive strategy, it might have had a different outcome: the Urban Knights had their best overall shooting percentage of the season (.486), but were held to only 37 total shots in their 72-53 loss (their first of the season).
 
The first half showcased ART U's (now 2-1, 0-0 PacWest) resiliency, battling back after an early 7-0 deficit. As the 20 minutes progressed, the score fluctuated back and forth between the two teams, but SF State pulled ahead 35-21 at the half. Junior guard Chris Salas led the offensive cause with 10 first-half points and .750 field goal percentage.
 
In the second half, the Urban Knights hit the floor with a renewed sense of purpose, improving their statistics in several categories: field goal attempts, field goal percentage, rebounds, and steals. Salas headed the team once again, posting 19 points overall and a .666 shooting percentage. Salas and sophomore guard Uchenna Okeneme also tied for the team lead with four rebounds. Sophomore guard Jase Harrison also contributed seven points, three rebounds, and two assists during his 24 minutes of play.
 
"Defensively, there were some good moments…it's a matter of focusing on defense and taking care of the ball…playing good team defense and minimizing our turnovers. Those are the two things that stood out the most," said Head Coach Julius Barnes when referring to the game.
 
The now 2-0, 0-0 CCAA Gators had several key contributors, with three players scoring double-digit points. However, Warren Jackson had the biggest night, tallying 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, a .500 field goal percentage (5-for-10), and was 6-for-7 from the free throw line.
 
On Saturday, ART U returns to the Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park to face off with Sonoma State University at 7:30 p.m. The early season rematch will provide a different narrative for the Academy of Art: on November 14th, the Urban Knights were able to defeat the Seawolves in the CCAA/PacWest Challenge in terrific come-from-behind fashion.