ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. – Unselfish play epitomized Academy of Art men's basketball's (1-2) style of play on Friday night against Cal State San Bernardino (2-1). However, a Coyotes free throw made with two seconds on the clock sealed the win for CSUSB, giving the Urban Knights a narrow, 76-72 defeat.
 
In the first half, ART U got off to a slow start, allowing the Coyotes to score six unanswered points to open the contest. From there, the Urban Knights returned the favor with a six-point run of their own to knot the score 6-6 with five minutes having expired on the clock. San Bernardino would hold the lead for the remainder of the period, but Academy of Art's defense did well to contain the deficit to no more than five points for the next 15 minutes. The Coyotes managed to complete a run at the end of the half however, taking their biggest lead of the contest (10 points) with 1:54 remaining. After both sides combined for five more scores, ART U headed to the locker room trailing by eight points, 41-33.
 
In the second period, the Urban Knights played with a renewed sense of purpose, going on a 13-5 run in the first five minutes to tie the score at 46 points apiece. Their streak was highlighted by junior guard Victor Nwaba who knocked down two 3-pointers within 15 seconds. During that time, ART U amassed six stops against the Coyotes who had a 53.3 field goal percentage in the first half. From there, the score continued to fluctuate as both sides struggled to regain the lead, but San Bernardino continued to hold a slight edge until the clock hit 1:51. It was then that senior guard Chris Salas rained down a three from near the Urban Knights' bench to tie the score once again (69-69). The Coyotes proceeded to score the next four points, but Nwaba came through with another trey to put the Knights within one point with 40 seconds remaining. Unfortunately in the next sequence, CSUSB managed to drive down for a layup and a three-point advantage. With 18 seconds on the clock, ART U looked to respond, but Nwaba's layup attempt could not find the net. A quick foul by the Knights set up two free throws with two seconds on the clock and the potential for one final chance should the Coyotes miss both attempts. After Turner Everett missed the first shot, head coach Julius Barnes was quick to take his final timeout to rally his troops and discuss the final play should the second free throw fail to find its target. Alas, Everett's shot rang true, giving San Bernardino a four-point advantage and the Urban Knights not enough time to even the score.
 
Among the three Knights to score in double-digit figures on the night, none reached the double-digit mark until Salas put in a layup with 9:56 remaining in the second half. This illustrates the team's ability to play selfless basketball which was particularly evident in the final period. As a team, ART U shot 55.6 percent from the field in the second half, compared to just 33.3 percent in the first. Furthermore, the Knights shot 50 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Salas was the team's point leader for the second time in three games this season, scoring 15 points while collecting six rebounds. Nwaba was just behind with 13 points and four rebounds, while redshirt senior guard Sergio Valdeolmillos managed 11 points and one board.
 
 "We came into the second half wanting to play 'ART U basketball,'" said Barnes. "That includes getting after it defensively, ball pressure, getting deflections, and having that translate into points on the break…We did a really good job moving the ball, and I really like that we're moving the ball this well, this early in the season."
 
Academy of Art will return to Sonoma State on Saturday to face off with SSU in their final contest of the 16th-annual Ron Logsdon Basketball Classic. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.