AZUSA, Calif. – The Urban Knights faced an 11-point deficit at halftime on the road inside the Felix Event Center, but after shooting nearly 50 percent from the field in the second half, Academy of Art University women's basketball walked away with a 76-68 victory over Azusa Pacific. Junior guard Rodericka Ware (31 points) and junior forward Helena Orts (25 points) combined for all but 20 of ART U's final total and collectively contributed 37 in the second half alone.

Even through the first half of the opening quarter, the game shifted in favor of APU after a 9-0 run pushed a 19-9 advantage. Solid rebounding work by Orts and freshman forward Elle Williams helped begin a comeback and Ware provided an impressive buzzer-beater from well three-quarter court to cut the margin to three heading to the second.

Ware made two baskets early in the period to not only tie the game, but briefly give Academy of Art a 27-25 lead before an 18-5 run by the Cougars closed the half. The home team held their largest lead of the game, 43-32, at the intermission yet the Knights came back almost immediately in the third with a 15-4 surge ignited by triples from junior guard Jazzlynn Brewster and Orts. Azusa Pacific proceeded to retake the lead and was up 56-52 with three quarters complete.

Lockdown defense denied the Cougars their first shot attempt until one minute and a half into the fourth and it was not until four minutes had transpired before they scored. Meanwhile, Ware hit two 3-pointers as part of her 10 points within a 12-0 run to get the Knights what would be their final lead. Ware and Orts would combine for all but two of Academy of Art's 24 points in the quarter as a 12-point lead ensued prior to the 76-68 victory.

Now winners of 10 of their last 11 games, ART U rises to 10-5 overall and 6-1 in the PacWest. They join three other teams with one or fewer losses in conference play. The game-high 31 points (12-for-24 from the field including five 3-pointers) were Ware's second-highest total since becoming an Urban Knight, but the 10 rebounds were a career-high.

"I always challenge Dreek to be a better rebounder and she did a great job of adding to her game in that area," said Larson.

Orts offered her season-high with 25 points on an extremely efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the floor. Complementing her eight points (6-for-6 from the foul line), Williams' 13 rebounds were a season-high and her 10 offensive rebounds were the second-most in program history behind Alisa Griggs' 11 as part of the program record (23) versus Dominican on January 30, 2012.

"Elle gave us a huge spark off the bench with her boards," said Larson. "She is a great rebounder, strong, aggressive, and I know she realizes that she was a huge addition with what she brought today."

Having now lost three of their last four games, APU drops to 7-10 overall and 5-4 in conference play. Abigail Goodsell stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals while Gabrielle Kaiser added 19 points and eight rebounds.

Academy of Art will finish up in Southern California on Monday, Jan. 16 with a 5 p.m. tipoff against No. 11 California Baptist in Riverside.

"We put in some adjustments at halftime to put us in a better situation and the team did a great job of executing and playing composed," said Larson. "I feel like we made strides today, but we know that we cannot be complacent or satisfied going into Monday's game."