HONOLULU – The Urban Knights' pursuit of Pacific West Conference perfection continued Saturday as Academy of Art University women's basketball pulled away from Hawaii Pacific in the third quarter en route to an 82-72 victory inside Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Four of five ART U starters scored in double figures, all making contributions during a decisive 20-3 surge than took it from a one-point game to an 18-point difference heading into the fourth.

"We knew coming in that playing one of the top teams one conference after just handing them their first conference loss at home would be a huge test for us," said head coach LaNay Larson.

No more than five points separated the teams through the first nine minutes with the teams resuming their battle that began in San Francisco on Jan. 9. Senior guard Jasmin Guinn answered the Sharks' third 3-pointer of the game with a layup to knot the contest at 15-15. From there, HPU went on an 8-2 run to go up six before senior guard Zoie Sheng shortened the margin with free throws to close the first quarter.

Layups by senior guard Regina Camera and Guinn were complemented by a triple from senior guard Sha'Nice Storey during a 7-0 ART U run early in the second. Neither side could gain separation for the remainder of the opening half, leading the Knights to a 43-42 lead at the break.

Still in a one-point contest midway through the third quarter, Academy of Art proceeded to execute a run that would drastically change the game. It began with Camera's triple, was aided by a layup from junior forward D'Andree Galipeau, and continued with 10 unanswered points for a double-digit ART U lead at 59-48. In the final two minutes, the Knights were 4-for-4 from the field with 3-pointers by both Storey and Guinn as the dust eventually settled on a 26-9 point differential in the quarter.

The Sharks would not go without a fight and opened the fourth with their own 10-0 push to make it just an eight-point game at 69-61. Sophomore guard Desiree Harris hit two free throws to stop the run and that was a sign of things to come with Galipeau knocking down a pair at the foul line minutes later. In the final 40 seconds, Sheng would close the game with four of her 12 made free throws to seal the 82-72 win.

"I am proud of how we came out after half and made the adjustments defensively to get that big lead," said Larson. "We got a little tight in the fourth quarter, but I am proud of my players for keeping the lead and making sure we left with a huge win to keep us undefeated in conference."

Academy of Art rises to 14-5 overall and 9-0 in PacWest Conference play with the victory. Storey's 21 points (4-for-7 3PT) led an ART U starter contingent that combined for 68 of the team's 82 points. Guinn had her seventh double-double this season with 19 points and 11 rebounds to go with three steals while Sheng added 16 points (tying the program record going 12-for-12 from the free throw line) and five assists. Camera was the fourth Knight to score in double figures, finishing with 12 points.

Hawaii Pacific falls to 9-6 overall and 6-2 in conference with both losses to Academy of Art. Four Sharks scored in double figures to match ART U led by Breanna Mackenzie's 18 points. Aminata Cole had her second double-double in as many games against the Knights with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Academy of Art's Hawaii roadtrip concludes on Tuesday, Jan. 19 with a 5 p.m. HT (7 p.m. PT) tipoff at BYU-Hawaii in Laie.

"We have a lot of tough games ahead and the pressure only builds with each win, but we are happy to be in this position and will continue to work hard and stay focused," said Larson.