SAN FRANCISCO – Back inside Kezar Pavilion to conclude the West Region Tip-Off Classic on Saturday afternoon, Academy of Art University women's basketball found itself in another dogfight. This time, it was Cal State East Bay who took the Urban Knights into the final minutes and wound up holding on for the 56-52 win after missed scoring chances by ART U.

"I? thought we grew as a team this weekend in many areas," said head coach LaNay Larson. "Both games were against very quality teams and we knew we were in for a challenge to start out the year. It's hard to be so close, but there are some things we need to do better in order to close out games like that."

Though the Pioneers led by as many as five in the first quarter, that margin was only a single point, 14-13, heading into the second. Redshirt senior guard Jazzlynn Brewster scored eight points for Academy of Art in that first frame, doing most of her damage in the paint and at the free throw line.

Three straight CSUEB baskets at the start of the second quarter composed a 7-0 run for a 20-13 lead. That margin essentially held up into halftime and the first five minutes of the third quarter. ART U proceeded to cut into East Bay's advantage with defense, most notably steals by senior forward Helena Orts. She had two in quick succession during a 6-0 surge by the Knights to bring them within a single point at 33-32. She then finished the third on with a triple in transition and the Pioneer lead was just two moving into the fourth.

"I thought Orts really started to play like we know she is capable of in the second half and she played tremendous defense in both games," said Larson.

Down three two minutes in, junior center Mariana Witt converted a layup and sophomore forward Ines Medina knocked down a 3-pointer to give Academy of Art a 48-46 lead at last. Orts supplemented with a layup, but a 5-0 push back from Cal State East Bay got the visitors ahead 53-50. With under two minutes to play, ART U had an opportunity to tie with free throws then two shots to make it a one-possession game, but could not connect and the Pioneers went on to win 56-52.

Academy of Art opens 2017 at 0-2 overall, but in games that were both determined in the final minute. Brewster, the Knights' lone selection to the All-Tournament Team, reached the 20-point mark for the second consecutive day, finishing with 20 points (including a 9-for-11 performance from the free throw line). After tallying five steals and 12 points in the second half, Orts ended up with 14 points, seven rebounds, and matched her career-high with seven steals in the contest.

"Jazz really carried a lot of the load for us offensively," said Larson. "With a short rotation, we are asking her to do a lot from the point guard position, but I'm proud of the way she responded."

Cal State East Bay exits the West Region Tip-Off Classic 2-0 on the year. Savannah McGill posted 25 rebounds (two shy of the school record) plus 10 points while Morgan Greene added another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Both made the All-Tournament Team (see below).

The Urban Knights will travel to Seaside on Tuesday, Nov. 14 to face Cal State Monterey Bay at 5 p.m.

"We should be a team that is really hungry to win going into Tuesday's matchup," said Larson. "We know where we need to improve and we have to continue to progress and make strides in the right direction."

2017 West Region Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player: Alisha Breen (Montana State Billings)
Vanessa Stavish (Montana State Billings)
Jazzlynn Brewster (Academy of Art)
Savannah McGill (Cal State East Bay)
Morgan Greene (Cal State East Bay)