OAKLAND, Calif. -- Academy of Art men's basketball raced out to an 18-point lead by halftime of its Pacific West Conference rematch hosting UH Hilo on Saturday and never looked back, as ART U recorded the fourth-most points in program history while dominating in a 32-point win over the Vulcans at Laney College Gym by a final score of 100-68. 

"Tonight's win exemplified how when we play hard good things happen," said ART U Head Coach Scott Waterman. "We didn't play our best the last three games and we spent the past few days focusing on what had led us to that point. It showed with our defensive effort and energy, how we rebounded, and got out in transition. We need to learn from today that we need to play this way every game and the results will come. I am really proud of the effort we put forth and look forward to getting back to work next week with two big games ahead."

The Urban Knights, now 17-7 overall and 12-4 in Pacific West Conference play, jumped out from the gate strong as the squad found a quick lead and never allowed UH Hilo to create big runs. ART U closed out the last seven minutes of the first half with a 20-11 run, knocking down multiple triples and getting big-time layups to go with aggressive effort in the paint. The Knights went into the break 45-27 score, and all the momentum after their feisty efforts in the opening frame.

ART U kept their foot on the gas in the second half, putting together a 55-point period with offense coming from all angles while playing hard defense on the other end. Establishing a lead of as many as 35 points midway through the second period, the Knights continued to push towards their basket as they recorded 20 fastbreak points in the game as well as 50 in the paint. Cruising to victory, ART U closed out the game with a 100-68 final score, boosting themselves back into first place in the conference standings after a huge win over the fourth-place team in the Vulcans.

Multiple Knights showed up big in the stats after what was the definition of a true team win. Senior forward Latrell Williams continued to show why he is among the top players in the PacWest Conference, collecting the team-high in rebounds (13) as he chases down the single-season record in ART U program history. Junior forward Jamal Fuller and junior guard Treylon Payne shared the team-high in points (17), while Latrell Williams added on 12 of his own to record the double-double as he is now four from breaking the single-season record as well as the second 1,000-point scorer in the history of ART U men's basketball.

Payne was also locking down the Vulcans on defense, as he collected six steals to tie the program's single-game record while redshirt sophomore guard Eli Taylor was dishing the rock on offense, with the team-high in assists (7). Junior forward Quintin Metcalf (12) and junior guard Rodney Munson (11) also put up double-digit points, while collecting six rebounds apiece. With the entire team contributing in the win, all members of ART U scored five points or more in the contest. 

Just one member of UH Hilo delivered double-digit points in the game, with Kalique Mitchell recording the team-high (10). Though all members of the Vulcans scored as well, they could not overcome the Knights covering the court from coast-to-coast. 

ART U will next host Dominican on Thursday, Feb. 22 at Laney College Gym with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.