Box Score

Rohnert Park, Calif. (11/15/08) --  The Academy of Art University women's basketball team dropped their season opener, 68-74, to Sonoma State University at Seawolf Gym in Rohnert Park. Junior guard Caprice Hall had a team-high 16 points on Saturday afternoon to lead the Urban Knights. The Urban Knights fall to 0-1 while the Seawolves go to 1-0 on the young season.

The Seawolves led nearly the entire way, and had trouble pulling away from the tenacious Urban Knight squad.  After getting out to an early 8-0 lead, the Seawolves were reeled in slowly and after an 11-2 run midway through the half, AAU had pulled to within one at 23-22. 

The game was tied at 30-30 on a 3-pointer by senior forward Levalasi Key and then soon after, the Urban Knights took their only lead of the game, at 33-31 on another three by freshman guard Lorraine Etchell.  Sonoma State would regain the lead and finish the half on a 7-0 run to make it 38-33 at the break.

After a couple of ties early in the second half, the Urban Knights were unable to pull ahead but battled hard and kept the game close. Sonoma State University grew the lead to as many as eight in the second half. Once again, however, the Urban Knights clawed back, closing to within one at 61-60 with 5:50 remaining. 

With just a one-point lead with 2:08 remaining, the Urban Knights allowed the Seawolves to remain in the lead by committing ticky-tac fouls and allowing them to get to the free throw line. Fouls have been an issue for the young Urban Knights squad who sent the Seawolves to the line 32 times while only getting to the line 13 times themselves.

The Urban Knights had four players who scored in double digits. Hall led the Urban Knights with 16 points on 5-of-10 from behind the arc. Key came off the bench and added 14 points and seven rebounds. Junior point guard Sondra Stilwell had 13 points, seven assists, and five steals on the night and Etchell chipped in with 14 on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from long range. AAU shot 11-of-38 from three-point territory.

For the Seawolves, Katie Keilig finished with a game high 20 points and was impressive from the free throw line, connecting on 12-of-14. She also had five rebounds and two steals. Russo finished the night with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Stephanie Barnes, making her Sonoma State debut as well, poured in 12 points.

The Urban Knights return to the floor on Tuesday evening when they travel across town to the home of the Division I USF Dons. Tip off is set for 7:00 PM.