SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art men's basketball looked dominant throughout Monday night's game against Point Loma: the Urban Knights held the lead for over 37 of the contest's 40 minutes. However, a late push by the Sea Lions gave PLNU their first lead with less than two minutes to play in the second half which they were able to sustain until the final buzzer.
 
To open the game, ART U scored eight unanswered points highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers from junior guard Cobe Williams. However, Point Loma returned the favor with nine consecutive points to take a 1-point lead with 14:24 to play. A pair of free throws from freshman guard Stefan Milivojevic, just moments later, returned the advantage to the Urban Knights' side and they would not relent their lead until the final moments of the game. From that point forward, both sides played each other evenly as the Knights never led by more than five points. After grinding out the opening 20 minutes, C. Williams ended the half with a 3-point dagger with two seconds on the clock. The triple not only gave Academy of Art a 4-point, 28-24 lead, but it ended the half with the momentum squarely on ART U's side.
 
The Urban Knights continued to maintain their lead in the second half, but it was not for lack of effort on the Sea Lions' part. PLNU managed to tie the game at 34 points apiece at the 16:40 mark thanks to a 3-pointer from Tanner Nelson. However, Milivojevic responded in the following possession with a triple of his own, moving the Knights' lead back to three. Nelson came back with yet another 3-pointer to tie the contest at 37 points apiece, but, from there, the Urban Knights put up six quick points to build themselves a two-possession lead. After a continued struggle over the next six minutes, PLNU tied things up at 51 points-all with just 6:48 to play. A quick fastbreak-play executed by senior guard Uchenna Okeneme, helped ART U regain the lead, one which they would hold onto until less than two minutes remained. With 34 seconds to play and a two-point deficit, the Urban Knights drew up plans for which they hoped would be their final play of the night. With possession going to Point Loma, Academy of Art's defense forced the Sea Lions to miss a 3-pointer, but an offensive rebound followed by a layup by Skyler White spelled the Knights' downfall. Now trailing by four with only nine seconds remaining, senior guard Kendall Brown made a 3-point attempt, but the shot missed its mark and ART U fell by the score of 64-60.  
 
Junior guard Cole Morgan had the biggest night for the Urban Knights. The Fresno, Calif. native matched his career-high from earlier this season with 17 points while also contributing six rebounds and one steal. Both Brown and C. Williams scored in double-digit figures as well, as they each scored 12 against PLNU. As a team, ART U tied their season-high by forcing 19 turnovers which saw a return of 21 points.
 
Now at 3-8, 2-3 PacWest, Academy of Art will return to action after the holidays when they hit the road for three-consecutive games including two in Hawaii. However, their next match will take place on December 30 against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds at 4:30 p.m.