Box Score

Salem, OR --- The Academy of Art women's basketball team fell short tonight against host institution, Willamette University, in game two of the Bruce Henderson Memorial Capital City Classic. In spite of a valiant effort by Head Coach Lindsey Yamasaki and her ball club the Urban Knights could not overcome the 11 point halftime WU lead, and dropped the match 79-70. Willamette improved to 1-3 on the season and go 1-0 in the tournament. Academy of Art University fell to 1-4 overall, 1-1 in the Capital City Classic.


The Urban Knights hopped to continue their hot streak tonight against the Bearcats. But, unfortunately a 44 point first half by Willamette was too much for the Urban Knights to overcome. ART U kept the first half close until late in the game. The Bearcats opened the game on an 8-2 run. A jumper by Verity Peets gave the Urban Knights their fourth point of the game. Then, a steal by Devin London followed by an offensive rebound and put back by Verity Peets gave the Urban Knights their first lead of the half. There would be four more ties in the half until WU would open up their biggest lead of the night with 5 minutes on the clock, 31-20, off free throws. ART U tried to reduce the margin but went into the locker room down 44-33.

The Urban Knights shot 34% from the floor in the first and couldn't connect from downtown. The difference in the half for the Urban Knights was the Willamette free throw percentage. The Bearcats went to the free throw line 20 times and connected 16 times. ART U only hit 13 of their 19 free throw attempts in the first alone.

The second half saw the Academy of Art come from 11 points down to tie the game a fifth time. Within the first seven minutes of the second half ART U was able to create some turnovers on the other end and capitalize on missed opportunities by the Bearcats. London was the player who gave the Urban Knights their first lead since 10:43 in the first half. Over the course of the next few minutes ART U saw red, they extended their lead to the largest of the contest 59-51 with 8:33 left in the ball game. The Bearcats, however, answered with a 10-2 run which tied the contest for the seventh and final time. Sharp shooting down the stretch gave Willamette the 79-70 advantage as the clock struck 00:00.

The Bearcats were led by an offensive explosion by Alex Zennan, she finished with a game high 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. Shanna Glyn was right behind her with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Kaileigh Westermann and MacKenize Lamson each chipped in 11 points a piece.

For Academy of Art, Devin London tallied 17 points and earned four steals. Jessica Nolan recorded 15 points, and a season high 17 rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Urban Knights. Alisa Griggs finished with 12 points and six rebounds, on 3-of-6 shooting. Verity Peets chipped in with eight points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Urban Knights return to the court next Saturday afternoon for a home match against Holy Names University. Tip off is set for 12:00 PM at Kezar Pavilion.