Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Rob Garcia & Jessica Benedetti)

Seaside, CA – In a tale of two halves, ART U women's basketball was inspired by strong bench play in the second period after Cal State Monterey Bay established a large first half advantage. Academy of Art would outscore the Otters in the second, but ultimately it was CSUMB who went on to win 82-58 at the Kelp Bed. The Urban Knights went on 9-1 and 8-0 runs in the second half with the first sparked by layups from freshman center Alexandria Coleman. She finished a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and a season-high eight points off the bench.

“It was almost like déjà vu because we talked about our previous first half,” head coach LaNay Larson said. “Cal State Monterey Bay is one of the top teams in the West Region and their shooters were quick off the dribble especially to start so we gave up too many easy shots. In the second half, we made much better decisions with the ball, took higher percentage shots, and had longer possessions. I haven't seen two halves from us yet and, especially against a team like Monterey Bay, you have to put in a full 40 minutes. But at least we know what it takes to hang with a great team like that. They shot the ball extremely well.”

Though CSUMB knocked down two 3-pointers to start, sophomore forward Alisa Griggs found junior guard Nicol Biesek under the rim for an easy layup to score ART U's first basket and break up the Otters' game-opening momentum. Junior forward Ariel Dale then provided a boost with five quick points off the bench to bring the Urban Knights within two, 11-9. From there, however, the Otters responded with a 26-4 run fueled by three more triples. Freshman guard Vianai Austin and senior guard Lorraine Etchell then each knocked down jumpers to stop the initial burst, but Monterey Bay would take its largest lead of the game, 47-15, at halftime.

The Knights came out attacking the CSUMB defense early in the second half, at one point drawing three fouls in less than a minute. Clutching their lead, the Otters may have been surprised when Academy of Art proceeded to drain six consecutive shots. Coleman, who sprinted down the floor for her first layup, helped ART U begin to cut into the lead with three of those baskets.

“We talked to [Alex] about stepping up to fill those minutes particularly when Alisa is off the floor,” Coach Larson said. “She played good defense, got rebounds, and really took what the defense gave her while using her size. Alex took big steps tonight and had confidence so hopefully she can build off that.”

The Otters, however, stayed above water by scoring from long range. Cal State Monterey Bay would make 11 3-pointers in the game. With just under nine minutes left, London converted a three-point play to contribute to a 9-1 Academy of Art run and, two minutes later, ART U rattled off eight straight primarily by getting to the free throw line. The runs were too late though and CSUMB went on to win 82-58.

Pacing the Urban Knights, Griggs scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, and added two steals. London followed with 12 points and three steals while Coleman had the best game in her young ART U career, finishing with eight points (4-for-4 from the floor). Etchell contributed a team-high seven rebounds and Dale stuffed the stat sheet with five points, four rebounds, and four steals. For the third consecutive game, ART U dominated several second half categories including points off turnovers (15-9), points in the paint (20-11), and second chance points (11-0). Academy of Art is now 1-2 in this young season.

“We've got to be able to keep Alisa on the floor,” Coach Larson said. “She's been our rock and our glue especially from an energy standpoint so we really need to keep her out of foul trouble.”

Led by 10 points from Stefanie Corgel at halftime, CSUMB's leading scorer ended up being Erika Ward who posted 16 points (4-for-7 from distance). Holly Holcomb made four 3-pointers of her own and finished with 15 points. Cal State Monterey Bay moves to 1-0 to start the year.

After three games in the first five days of the 2011-12 season, Academy of Art now takes a 10-day break before its next games which are in the Dixie State Thanksgiving Tournament on Nov. 25-26. The Knights will face Cal State Los Angeles first and then Western Oregon.