Box Score

Hayward, CA -- When new conference member Fresno Pacific University came to town, the Academy of Art men's basketball team knew they faced a tall order in containing the PacWest's leading scoring team and player. But, despite their efforts, John Taylor and the Sunbirds showed the Urban Knights just how potent their offense can be by handing them a 116-80 defeat.

Taylor, who came into the night averaging almost 25 points per game for the year, was the go-to option for the Sunbirds from the beginning of the game. The Knights held the lead for a short time when it was 8-6, but from there the Sunbirds went on a 16-2 run to take the lead and take control of the game. In that span, Taylor scored half of those points, and ended the first half going 8-for-13 from the field and adding another eight points at the free throw line to score 27 of FPU's 66 points. Ameer Shamsud-din had 13 points at the half for ART U, but they went into the locker room down 66-32.

It didn't get any easier for the Urban Knights in the second half, as Taylor cooled off a little bit but still poured in 17 second-half points, going 10-for-10 from the line. In response, Shamsud-din and the Knights continued to try and chip away, as the senior guard had 11 points in the second half. Alex Carmon (12 points) and Rodrigo Maza (10 points) also scored in double figures in the closing period, but the margin was too much to make up and the Knights fell to 7-14.

Shamsud-din's 24-point night put him in prime position to take the all-time scoring title for the Urban Knights, sitting only two points behind the career mark set last year. Carmon finished with 16 points and there assists, while Bryan Fisher (13 points) and Maza (12 points, 9 rebounds) also broke double figures. The Knights will play again on Tuesday against Dominican at Kezar Pavilion.