ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. – Academy of Art men's basketball nearly erased a 16-point deficit on Saturday night, but fell just short as Sonoma State held on for a 64-53 victory.
 
The Urban Knights took an early 5-2 lead thanks to a layup by junior forward Luka Radovic and a 3-pointer from senior guard Chris Salas. However, ART U did not have long to savor their three-point lead as it was all Seawolves from that point forward. Sonoma State held the Urban Knights to a 27.6 field goal percentage while shooting 55 percent themselves and created a rebound differential of 22-8 in the first half. However, ART U was able to force 11 turnovers in the period which helped them take nearly ten more shots than their opponent (29 compared to SSU's 20).
 
Trailing by 12 entering the second half, the Urban Knights aimed to make some noise once the whistle blew. Proving nearly impossible to shake, ART U posted a 10-0 run that lasted just under four minutes. Now only trailing by four points (55-51) with 3:20 remaining on the clock, they looked to continue their streak. However, SSU went on a 9-2 run in the closing minutes to seal the 64-53 win.
 
One of the highlights of the second half was senior guard Sergio Valdeolmillos who scored nine points in the second period alone (11 overall), more than any player from either side. In fact, the Granada, Spain native's 22 points and five rebounds overall during the 16th-annual Ron Logsdon Basketball Classic earned him a spot on the all-tournament team.
 
"Sergio has been a catalyst off the bench in terms of his energy and his ability to make plays," said head coach Julius Barnes. "It was great he was recognized and I hope it provides motivation for the rest of the team."
 
There were three Urban Knights who came away with eight points each on Saturday, including: Salas (five rebounds), junior forward Luka Radovic (one rebound) and senior guard Herman Pratt (no rebounds).  As a team, Academy of Art did well to force turnovers, collecting 19 altogether, their most since forcing 24 in a 66-58 win over Holy Names on February 3, 2016.
 
With just two non-conference games remaining in the schedule, the Urban Knights will travel to Chico State next weekend. There, they will face the Wildcats and Cal State East Bay in the Carl's Jr. Mac Martin Invitational.