Box Score
Honolulu, HI--- Despite four players registering double figures in scoring tonight at Neal S. Blaisdell Center, the Urban Knight women's basketball team dropped a 74-61 decision to the Hawaii Pacific Sea Warriors.
Jessica Nolan, who recorded her sixth double-double of the season, led the Urban Knights with 14 points and 10 rebounds. ART U returns to San Francisco 2-2 in conference and 4-9 overall. Hawaii Pacific, however, improves to 2-0 in conference and 8-3 overall.
The Urban Knights, propelled by their two game win streak, entered into the contest against the Sea Warriors with one objective - come home with another victory. Three wins during the Conferences' arguably most difficult road trip is no easy feat for any team, and the outcome for ART U fell a bit short.
“Overall, I feel great about the trip,” said Head Coach Lindsey Yamasaki. “Our effort and energy was exemplary. I am so proud of us for committing to improvement even on the road.” Yamasaki continued, “Even when they're tired and under the pressure of a new opponent every other day they still give it their all.”
ART U kept the contest close in the opening minutes, holding the Sea Warriors scoreless within the first two minutes of the game. HPU got on the board first on a free throw.
Nicole DeRosier gave ART U their first lead of the game, 3-1, with a three point basket. The Sea Warriors hit the Urban Knights with a 9-3 run that extended their lead to six points.
Jessica Nolan scored seven of the next 10 Urban Knight points to tie the game at 14-14 midway through the half. Nolan then hit
Verity Peets for an open lay-up to give ART U their first lead since two minutes into the contest, 16-14. Unfortunately for the Urban Knights three turnovers coupled with inopportune fouls helped HPU orchestrate a 7-0 run heading into the final five minutes of the half. However, the Urban Knights never gave up. ART U battled with the Sea Warriors cutting the lead to two points on two occasions. The Urban Knights went six minutes without a field goal until
Verity Peets ended the drought with a lay-up putting the Knights within 7 points, 32-25. ART U entered the locker room down nine, 34-25. As a team they shot 39% from the field, but struggled from the free-throw line, only connecting on 5-9.
The Urban Knights started the second half a bit frazzled as the Sea Warriors extended their lead to 12 within the first minutes of play. ART U, however, bounced back from the pressure and looked to freshman
Madeline Martin. With the Urban Knights down 41-29 it was Martin who knocked down a three-point basket and who stripped the ball from an HPU player on the very next play and who hit a streaking
Devin London for a lay-up to bring the score to within five points 41-36. “Maddie is a constant example when it comes to effort - I can't say enough about what a spark she has been on this team,” Yamasaki said. A few minutes later another freshman, this time
Ashley Lucian, connected from downtown to bring the Urban Knights as close as they had been since the first half, 48-44. But much like the first ART U was hit by another scoring drought late in the half which allowed the Sea Warriors to extend a sizable lead over the Urban Knights. Two HPU free-throws with seconds on the clock secured the Sea Warrior 74-61 victory.
HPU was led by Jazzmin Awa-Williams who finished with a game high 15 points and four steals. Mana Hopkins finished right behind Williams with 14 points, while Melody Ladrido chipped in with 10 points. Courtney Buster had a game high 11 rebounds in the HPU victory.
The Urban Knights had four players finish in double figures.
Jessica Nolan led the pack with 14 points and 10 rebounds. “Jess gave a lot tonight [and the whole trip] and demanded a lot of her teammates. I am impressed with how far she's come,” said Yamasaki.
Verity Peets was next on the team with 12 points.
Alisa Griggs finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and one steal.
Nicole DeRosier was 3-of-5 from three-point territory finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds. “Nicole is continuing to help lead this team and is making a strong effort to raise her game,” said Yamasaki. “She is willing to carry a larger load on both ends of the floor. She is confident in her shot and people are becoming more and more afraid of her offense and for good reason.”
The Urban Knights return to San Francisco and will use the rest of the week to prepare for their game against Dixie State College on Monday Jan 17 at 5:30 PM. The Dixie State game marks the first of a five game ART U homestand.
