MORAGA, Calif. – Matched up against a NCAA Division I opponent for the first time in the 2022-23 campaign, Academy of Art men's basketball started hot by hitting over half of their looks from the floor while holding an early lead over Saint Mary's. Despite forcing double-digit turnovers and playing tough defense, SMC bounced back in the second half to capture the 84-64 win on Tuesday. 
 
Gearing up for the second half of a back-to-back after a win last night against Fresno Pacific, a triple from sophomore guard Rodney Munson on the first possession for the Urban Knights (9-5) opened the game, but the Gaels' (13-4) response was immediate as they hit their own 3-pointer the next time down the floor. Academy of Art once again dialed it up from long range immediately thereafter, but once more SMC returned the favor with a bucket of their own. 
 
Those opening two shots gave the Knights early confidence, as they hit on their first five attempts from the floor (including a trio of 3-pointers) before their first miss. The final two of the three long-balls belonged to senior forward Mike Asante, and during that stretch ART U garnered its largest lead of the night.
 
Shots from downtown was the theme of the game early on for both teams, as the Gaels remained close thanks to four triples within the first five minutes, two belonging to Alex Ducas and a pair for Logan Johnson. While Saint Mary's took its first lead at the 14:35 mark, a 9-1 run helped the Gaels seize control of the game and a seven-point advantage. Though the margin would fluctuate, it never increased larger than three possessions, with SMC holding just a 43-37 edge at the break thanks to a Gaels giveaway leading into a buzzer-beating layup from graduate student guard Deang Deang. ART U closed the first frame by hitting on 51.7 percent (15-for-29) of their looks from the field.
 
Coming out of the break, Saint Mary's started the final 20 minutes on a 10-3 stretch, pushing their cushion into double digits for the first time in the contest. The turning point in the game came with just over 10 minutes to play, as ART U briefly trimmed the deficit back to single digits after a layup from junior forward Latrell Williams and a triple from senior guard Klay Brown.
 
Unfortunately, consecutive three-balls that were aided by an ART U turnover and a fastbreak dunk, all of which came from Luke Barrett, once again swung the game's momentum in favor of the Gaels with a lead by 15. 
 
From that point on it remained all SMC as, though the Knights showed their resolve and never relented, the visitors' shooting hand cooled off down the stretch while Saint Mary's held firm control of the ballgame and closed out the 84-64 win. 
 
Even in defeat the ART U defense was gritty, collecting a total of 13 steals (two off their season best against Sonoma State) and forcing 17 Gaels turnovers. 
 
All eight Urban Knights to see game action contributed points, with two finishing in double-digit scoring led by the 13 from Asante, which he paired with a team-high seven rebounds. Trailing shortly behind was Brown who contributed 12 points, two assists and a season-high-tying four steals. Also factoring into the game was Munson with nine points and three steals, while Williams added six points and six boards. 
 
Before the end of the week Academy of Art will return to the court, with ART U continuing its road trip in the Hawaiian Islands as the Knights face off against Hawaii Pacific, Chaminade and UH Hilo, with the first contest beginning this Sunday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. HT.