ATHERTON, Calif. – Taking on the leader of the Pacific West Conference's Preseason Coaches Poll in Azusa Pacific, Academy of Art women's basketball had all nine Urban Knights score on Thursday night inside Menlo College's Haynes-Prim Pavilion, but ART U rallies in the second and fourth quarters could not outdo the Cougars' runs in the first and third for their 78-56 victory in the start to conference play.

An 8-1 beginning for APU was countered by five quick points from sophomore guard Alba Rovira Ayuso, but a trio of 3-pointers thereafter had Azusa Pacific in front 17-8 midway through the first quarter. A triple came from freshman guard Anna Fornells with just over a minute left before one more basket gave the Cougars a 25-14 advantage heading to the second frame.

Rovira Ayuso again connected from distance as the margin returned to single digits in the minutes that followed yet an 8-0 run once again had APU dictating the pace. Graduate student guard Briana Baker-Bruce scored the team's final five points of the half, making it a 39-26 ballgame at the break.

The third quarter opened with the Cougars' 8-2 burst, however, that was met by a 10-2 Academy of Art surge that featured points from four different Knights including five by graduate student guard Emilia Dougherty. The difference was 11 at 49-38, but 13 straight by APU had them confidently back ahead. Triples from junior forward/center Christy Ojide and Baker-Bruce came in the first three minutes of the fourth frame and, though ART U would outscore their opponents in the quarter, the Cougars prevailed 78-56 in the end.

"Credit to Azusa tonight," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "They put us into some tough situations in transition and got us out of our offensive rhythm with their defense." 

Academy of Art moves to 1-6 overall and begins conference play 0-1 despite five Knights scoring eight or more points in the contest led by Fornells' nine points. Eight points apiece were turned in by Rovira Ayuso, Ojide, Baker-Bruce, and freshman guard Lucia Revenga. Ojide added four blocks, four rebounds, and two steals, complemented by junior forward Yasmine Sifaoui's seven rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes off the bench.

Azusa Pacific improves to 7-3 on the season and 1-0 in PacWest action. Amayah Kirkman finished with 18 points and seven rebounds while Kelly Heimburger added 17 points.

"Proud of how we did regain our composure at various points throughout the game and look forward to getting back to work this weekend," Clark said.

ART U continues its brief homestand by hosting Chaminade this Sunday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. from Kezar Pavilion.