Box Score

Salem, OR --- The Academy of Art women's basketball team traveled to Salem, OR to take part in the Bruce Henderson Memorial Capital City Classic this weekend. Their first challenge was against Corban University. The Warriors entered the contest 1-3, while the Urban Knights were looking for the first win of their still young season. With contributions from every Knight who stepped onto the floor, ART U beat Corban University handedly tonight at the Cone Field House. The 93-73 victory puts the Academy of Art with a 1- 3 record going into their final game of the tournament tomorrow evening. The loss drops the Warriors to 1-4 overall.

The Urban Knights had a breakout first half, combining for 18 made field goals and shooting 50% from the floor. Despite finishing the half with 10 turnovers, the Urban Knights' sharp shooting sent them into the locker room with a 14 point lead over the Corban University Warriors.

Jessica Nolan gave the Academy of Art women's basketball team just the spark they needed out of the gate. The senior seemed to have much to prove as she opened the game with a quick jumper within the first minute of the contest. ART U was relentless on the glass early on. Off of a missed free throw attempt, the Urban Knights had three straight offensive rebounds, two of which belonged to Nolan who then capped it with a jumper to put ART U up 6-2 with less than two minutes off the clock.
"Jess let the game come to her tonight and played relaxed but with confidence," said Head Coach Lindsey Yamasaki. "She likes to get other people involved [which is great] but we have talked about thinking score first instead of pass. Tonight was the first night we saw her really attack," Yamasaki said.  "Jess is a fun player to watch when she gets going like she did tonight. I'm proud of her for stepping up and assuming the role we know she's capable of," Yamasaki said.

Corban, however, would rally back due to inopportune turnovers and fouls by the Urban Knights. The Warriors would eventually take their first lead of the game 9-8, with 15:14 on the clock. The Urban Knights responded by taking the lead right back the very next play, on a lay-up by Lorraine Etchell. Corban was able to hang with the Knights until late in the half when ART U started to distance themselves from the Warriors.

Two Devin London steals would start ART U's breakaway. First, London hit an open Ashley Lucian who would knock down a big three-point shot to put ART U up 28-26. Next, London would snatch the ball away and pass it ahead to a streaking Lorraine Etchell for a fastbreak lay-up that put the Urban Knights up by four 30-26. The Warriors would then go the next four minutes without registering a field goal from the floor. The Urban Knights took full advantage of the poor shooting by Corban and extended their lead to 14 points as the half expired.

"Devin is getting more and more comfortable with this team and our system and it shows," said Yamasaki "We have also talked to her about looking to score first and she did that tonight. She pushed the tempo and shared the ball well."

ART U wasted no time in the second half as they continued to dominate the Warriors. London opened the second half with another steal. This time the junior kept the ball and traveled coast to coast for a lay-up and a foul. London completed the three point play and gave the Urban Knights their biggest lead (thus far) of the game, 48-31, with 19:11 remaining in the contest. It seemed as if everything was clicking for the Academy women's basketball team as numerous players contributed in the second half.

Jessica Nolan had an outstanding night for ART U, finishing with a team high 17 points. The senior was 7-of-10 from the field, and grabbed a game high 11 rebounds for her first double-double this season. Nolan also finished with six assists and two steals. Devin London was virtually perfect from the floor tonight, finishing with 14 points on five of six shooting. London was 1-of-1 from three point territory, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the line. She also added five rebounds, five assists, and four steals in the Urban Knights decisive victory. Lorraine Etchell went six of nine from the floor tonight and chipped in with 12 points. Alisa Griggs rounded out the double digit club, finishing with 11 points.

Every Urban Knight that played tonight put a point on the board. ART U as a whole shot an impressive 53% from the field. Despite finishing the contest with more turnovers (23-17), and 12 fewer shot attempts than their opponent, the Urban Knights' consistent shooting gave them the 93-73 advantage.

The Warriors were led offensively by Tess Bennett and Katie Steigleman. Both tied with a game high of 19 points, while Bennett added 10 rebounds. Jenessa Miller was next on the Warrior roster with 15 points.

The Urban Knights wrap up play in the Bruce Henderson Memorial Capital City Classic tomorrow evening with a game against host institution Willamette University. Opening tip if set for 7:00 PM at Cone Field House.