TURLOCK, Calif. – Academy of Art men's basketball overcame a slow shooting start that led to a double-digit deficit in the first half and cut the Stanislaus State advantage to two points on multiple occasions, the last occurring with just over three minutes left to play. However, every time ART U would get close, Stanislaus pulled away as they handed ART U its first loss of the season 75-69 on Tuesday. 

Battling their fifth California Collegiate Athletic Association opponent in as many games, the Urban Knights (4-1) struggled to keep up with the Warriors (2-4) out of the gate, with Stanislaus starting the contest on a 12-2 run. The lead hovered above three possessions through the majority of the period, and it wasn't until consecutive 3-pointers sandwiched around a steal for senior guard Klay Brown that helped the Knights get back within striking distance heading into the half, 34-29. 

Action would seesaw in the second frame, but the lead never grew to more than 10 points for the Warriors as the Urban Knights connected on slightly more of their shot attempts from the floor (43.2 percent for ART U to 41.4 percent for Stanislaus). Six second-half steals helped the Knights generate some offense, including the waning moments of the game when graduate student guard Deang Deang and Brown nabbed a steal each that led to a pair of Deang layups, bringing the score to a two-point difference for the final time with three minutes and 16 seconds remaining. 

An ensuing bucket from beyond the arc helped Stanislaus State cap any building momentum for ART U, and after forcing an Academy of Art turnover and miss on subsequent possessions, was able to ice the game from the line. Tonight's win marked the third consecutive Warriors victory over ART U, as the Knights have not won since the second meeting between the two teams back on Nov. 12, 2016. 

For the first time this season the Knights struggled to connect from long range, shooting under 30 percent (25.8 percent; 8-for-31) for the first time this season from three-point range. Additionally, this was the first instance since the season opener that Academy of Art did make over 40 percent of their attempts from the field (39.7 percent; 27-for-68), failing to reach the 70-point mark for the first time on the campaign. 

Not even a double-double from Brown could keep the winning streak alive, as the guard poured in a team-best 14 points on the strength of 5-for-10 (50.0 percent) shooting with 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Meanwhile, senior forward Mike Asante nearly came up with a double-double of his own after leading ART U with 11 rebounds and eight points to go with four assists, while sophomore forward Jamal Fuller poured in 13 points off the bench. In the first half Fuller was a perfect 4-for-4 shooting, ending his night a total of 6-for-8 (75.0 percent) from the field. 

ART U will look to start a new streak the next time on the floor, as the Knights continue the road trip up north to Lacey, Wash. to battle the currently undefeated Saint Martin's on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m.