Box Score

San Francisco, CA (11/18/08) -- Three Urban Knights scored in double-digits Tuesday as the Academy of Art University was unable to claim a victory against the USF women's basketball team, which opened their home slate of the 2008-09 campaign with an 50-80 victory over the visiting Urban Knights at War Memorial Gym. With the loss to the Dons the Urban Knights drop to 0-2 on the season. With the victory over AAU (0-2), San Francisco (1-1) improves to 24-7 in home openers since 1976, including earning a win in four of the past five seasons.

San Francisco held Academy of Art University scoreless until the 14:26 mark en route to opening the game on a 22-5 run through the first 10 minutes. After taking a 44-23 lead into the locker room at halftime, USF continued to roll in the second stanza, eventually extending the lead to 40-point lead with 6:02 remaining on a Vania Singleterry layup.

For the game, Academy of Art University shot a meager 28.3 percent from the field connecting on 17-of-60. While USF shot at a 49.3 clip, including hitting 18-of-34 in the first half for a 52.9 average. The young Urban Knights were held to a 8.3 percentage from three-point territory and a 28.3 average overall by the Don's defense. For the evening, Academy of Art University was out-rebounded by USF 51-30 and also outscored 41-16 in points in the paint.

For the Don's Freshman Rheina Ale led all scorers in the contest with 18 points, including going a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc while also pulling down eight rebounds and dishing out three assists and one steal. Senior center Necolia Simmons and senior guard Shay Rollins rounded out double-digit scorers for San Francisco in the contest with 10 and 17, respectively. Simmons also earned nine rebounds with three assists, while Rollins recorded three rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.

The Urban Knights were led by junior guard Jacqui Heck  who posted a team-high 13 points and five rebounds. Junior point guard Sondra Stilwell scored 12 points and dished out one assist while freshman guard Vanessa Wilkins added 10 to round out the double-digit scorers for Academy of Art University. Sophomore forward KaUwila Lavea led the Knights on defense, nabbing eight rebounds, blocking one shot and recording two steals.

Academy of Art University returns to the floor Friday as they travel to southern California to take on The Master's College on Friday and Vanguard University on Saturday aftertoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM friday and 2:00 PM Saturday.