Box Score

Las Vegas, NV – It was a comeback for the ages in the Las Vegas Challenge opener for Academy of Art University Women's Basketball versus Western Oregon on Wednesday afternoon. Though they were down by as many as 11 early in the second period, the Urban Knights responded with an incredible 19-0 run midway through the half to earn the 84-71 victory. A collective team effort was led by Molly O'Brien's 18 points and double-doubles by both Jasmin Guinn and Aleigh Krug.

"It's a positive that we are capable of putting a run like that together," head coach LaNay Larson said. "Our goal is to keep progressing and not just have runs, but consistently play at that level. We are starting to realize what we are capable and hopefully that will translate into better starts along with finishes."

After four scoreless possessions to start the game, it was Academy of Art who got on the board first with Alisa Griggs converting underneath. Soon Zoie Sheng initiated an 8-0 ART U run with her three-point play and O'Brien then added the first of her three 3-pointers that came in the opening 12 minutes.

The Western Oregon tandem of Dana Goularte and Chantel Divilbiss worked their squad back to within four, 12-8, before nearly two full minutes of a scoring drought hit on both sides. A quick 6-2 burst by the Knights that saw layups by Regina Camera and Krug helped maintain the margin.

Shortly thereafter, O'Brien caught fire. Having come into Wednesday's game with a single 3-pointer made, the junior drained her third at the eight-minute mark to cap an 8-2 surge that put ART U up 26-19. However, the Wolves took control from there. Starting with a Divilbiss layup, WOU executed a 19-4 run to end the half and held a 38-30 advantage at the break.

Early in the second half, Western Oregon pushed its largest lead of the afternoon (11) with a Divilbiss 3-pointer, but the double-digit lead did not last. ART U cut it down to five, 53-48, when Camera splashed a triple though WOU would use five straight points from Shyla Akins to climb back up to 10 briefly with 11 minutes left.

That's when the momentum shifted completely. It began innocently enough with a Sheng jumper, but quickly Camera got a layup, Krug hit a jumper, and the Urban Knights began to push the gas pedal with fast break layups. Guinn, Sha'Nice Storey, and Camera all got into the foray while the Wolves missed seven shots and turned the ball over three times during the ensuing two-minute stretch.

The barrage was finished off by a Guinn layup and free throws by Alisa Griggs, ultimately shifting ART U from down 10 to up nine, 69-60 with seven minutes to play. Western Oregon came back to life, but Academy of Art continued to score with O'Brien's fourth triple and back-to-back baskets by Krug falling. The Knights forced their largest lead of 16 with an 83-67 score at 2:31 on the clock. The rest was inconsequential as an 84-71 final went to ART U.

"Aleigh gave us a huge spark off the bench," Coach Larson said. "She continues to get better and better as she gains confidence."

ART U improves to 6-4 overall with the victory which saw yet another balanced effort on both ends. O'Brien finished with a game-high 18pts (4-of-6 3PT) while Guinn had her second consecutive double-double pairing 10 points with a new career-high 16 rebounds. She added three steals and three assists as well in 33 minutes on the floor.

"Jas is an incredible rebounder not only because of her athleticism but also her desire," Coach Larson said. "Her effort has been very consistent all season and it shows up in her stats."

Krug had her best game in an Academy of Art uniform with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks. Finally, Camera added 12 points and five assists along with 12 points and four rebounds for Griggs.

Western Oregon drops to 3-4 on the year despite a solid team effort led by Divilbiss' 16 points, Goularte's 15 points, and 12 from Katie Goddard.

Academy of Art will be back in action tomorrow, Dec. 19, with its first ever matchup against Cal State Dominguez Hills to close out the Las Vegas Challenge at 11:00 AM back inside Orleans Arena.