Game #3
ART U Urban Knights (1-1) vs. Stanislaus State Warriors (1-1)
Friday, November 17, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Turlock, Calif. – Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena
Live Stats | Live Video

Game #4
ART U Urban Knights (1-1) vs. Cal State East Bay Pioneers (1-1)
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1 p.m.
Turlock, Calif. – Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena
Live Stats | Live Video

SECOND TOURNEY SEES ART U FACE STAN STATE, CSUEB
Coming off a win over Saint Martin's in the season's opening weekend, Academy of Art women's basketball now turns its attention to a pair of teams from the California Collegiate Athletic Association in Stanislaus State and Cal State East Bay in the Warrior Classic.

TIP-OFF
In Turlock and specifically Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena for both contests, ART U matches up with Stan State first at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 then finishes against CSUEB at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights via the athletics app (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) and on Twitter & Instagram, as well as "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
Two games into the season, Academy of Art ranks first in the Pacific West Conference in field goal percentage (.436) and has been strong defensively with the third-highest steals per game average (11.0) and fourth-highest blocks per game mark (2.5). Individually, sophomore guard Alba Rovira Ayuso checks in at second in the PacWest among scorers both at 17.0 points per game and with a .545 field goal percentage. Two other Urban Knights have averaged double-digit points in freshman guard Anna Fornells (11.5 points per game) and junior forward/center Christy Ojide (10.5 points per game) with the former third in the conference at 2.5 steals per contest and the latter fourth at 1.0 blocks per game. Freshman guard Lucia Revenga has contributed across the board, averaging 3.0 steals (first in PacWest) to go with 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

WEEKEND WARRIORS
Picked to finish ninth in the CCAA by the coaches this season, Stanislaus State has opened the year 1-1 overall with a 74-64 victory coming over Northwest Nazarene before a 66-58 loss at the hands of Central Washington. The Warriors are led by Mya Blake's 16.5 points per game (on a .571 field goal percentage) plus 4.0 assists per game, Liliana Marques' 13.0 points per game (on a .526 field goal percentage), and Jola Armstrong's 7.5 rebounds per contest. After meeting Academy of Art each of the past two seasons, Stan State holds a slight 4-3 edge in the historical matchup.

PEERING AT THE PIONEERS
Cal State East Bay was slotted to take the seventh spot in the CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll and the Pioneers have been in two close games, yielding a 1-1 record thus far. Facing the same opponents as Stan State, CUSEB fell to Central Washington 70-63 in overtime then bounced back by topping Northwest Nazarene 69-62. Set to challenge Simon Fraser on Nov. 17 ahead of Saturday's clash with ART U, Cal State East Bay has heavily relied upon the scoring efforts of Payton Sterk who is averaging 24.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to date. She is supported by Jaela Richardson's 13.5 points per contest (on a .500 field goal percentage) as well as 9.5 rebounds per game from Taylor Linzie. Though the Pioneers have built momentum in recent years, their history with the Knights is currently even at six wins apiece.

FOURTH QUARTER SURGE PROPELS ART U To 66-63 WIN OVER SMU
Staying right with Saint Martin's for the entirety of the Nov. 11 contest, Academy of Art women's basketball executed a 12-0 run to rally in the fourth quarter, went ahead on a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Alba Rovira Ayuso, and subsequently blocked the Saints' last two shots to triumph 66-63 back inside Western Oregon's New PE Building as part of the GNAC/PacWest Conference Challenge.

LOOKING AHEAD
When the Urban Knights take the court next week, they will remain on the road, visiting Sonoma State (Nov. 22) and Chico State (Nov. 25) on each side of the Thanksgiving holiday.