SAN FRANCISCO – An inspired performance through the final 20 minutes kept Academy of Art University women's basketball undefeated in Pacific West Conference play on Thursday as the Urban Knights defeated Point Loma 71-62 inside Kezar Pavilion. ART U faced a 13-point deficit in the first half, but outscored the Sea Lions 44-25 in the second half including an 18-3 run to shift momentum in the fourth quarter.

Point Loma benefitted from early offense, making seven of their first eight shots and steadily building a 20-16 lead by the end of the first quarter. Then, in the second, a 15-4 Sea Lions run was capped by Madison West's third 3-pointer to that point and the visitors' largest lead at 37-24.

The end of the half, however, foreshadowed what was to come as senior guard Jasmin Guinn converted a three-point play in the final seconds and the halftime scoreboard showed just 10 points separating the teams (37-27).

As ART U's offense came alive in to start the third quarter, the teams traded baskets early on before a 3-pointer by senior guard Zoie Sheng was followed up by conversions in the paint by senior center Caron Brown and senior guard Regina Camera. The Knights had whittled the deficit down to just 53-49 heading into the fourth.

A 30-second timeout following a fastbreak bucket by PLNU came quickly into the final period and from there the tide turned dramatically. Guinn started with a layup then Camera and Guinn nailed back-to-back triples and, as Point Loma missed numerous long range attempts, a Camera layup finished off the incredible 18-3 comeback that took the Knights from down three to up 12 with less than a minute left. In the end, Academy of Art won 71-62 after shooting over 52 percent (9-for-17) from the field in the final quarter.

Now 6-0 in PacWest play and 11-5 overall, ART U had three of its players score in double figures led by Guinn's 21 points. She also grabbed six rebounds, dealt out four assists, and notched three steals. For Camera, 14 of her 16 points came in the second half and she would finish with six rebounds as well as a game-high six assists. Senior guard Sha'Nice Storey put in 12 points while Sheng contributed eight points with six rebounds.

The Sea Lions fall to 8-5 overall and 2-4 in conference with the loss. West, who hit five 3-pointers, ended up with a game-high 23 points and Sydney Tonack posted a double-double in the form of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Academy of Art plays host to Hawaii Pacific inside Kezar Pavilion this Saturday at 1 p.m. prior to a three-part roadtrip in Hawaii. This Saturday will be Youth Day as all students eighth grade and younger get in for free and receive a fun ART U fan pack.