SAN FRANCISCO-The Urban Knights (4-8, 2-4 PacWest) hit the ground running during Thursday afternoon's 71-64 loss to Point Loma Nazarene University (7-5, 3-3 PacWest).

After a back-and-forth opening eight minutes between the two teams, Academy of Art was able to create some distance by going on a 21-3 run, highlighted by senior guard Nick Cary's seven points over three baskets. The result of said run left ART U with a 20-point, 37-17 lead (their largest of the afternoon) with 5:31 remaining in the half.

The Sea Lions were able to fight back however, reducing the deficit to 10 points (39-29) at the halfway point.

During their strong opening twenty minutes, Academy of Art shot 57.7 percent overall and 57.1 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

These first-half numbers did not prove to be enough however, as the Sea Lions held the Urban Knights to a 31.4 percent field goal percentage in the second period, while amassing a 50 percent shooting percentage themselves.

PLNU's defense was on display in particular during the second half as they held ART U scoreless for seven minutes while accruing 17 unanswered points, giving them their first lead since the opening three minutes of the game.

The Knights continued to fight back, cutting the deficit to five points with less than five minutes remaining, but were unable to dismantle the renewed sense of momentum emanating from Point Loma's bench.

Although the team was unable to come away with a victory, there were several players who enjoyed individual successes. Sophomore guard Uchenna Okeneme scored a season-high 19 points and his most since scoring a career-high 21 points on December 6, 2014 against Notre Dame de Namur. Red shirt junior guard Sergio Valdeolmillos added 15 points to the Knights' cause, while sophomore guard Jase Harrison scored 11 times with eight rebounds and assisted with three field goals. Cary rounded out the Urban Knights with double-digit point totals, contributing 10 points and seven rebounds.

ART U will look to finish their three-game home stand with a win on Saturday as fourth-place Hawaii Pacific comes into town for a 3:30 p.m. tipoff.