SAN FRANCISCO -- Coming off a career high game, sophomore guard Stefan Milivojevic once again led the Urban Knights in scoring, though ART U dropped their home opener 79-74 to the Cal State East Bay Pioneers.
 
The Urban Knights struck first on a layup from redshirt sophomore forward Luka Radovic who was assisted by senior guard Cole Morgan. East Bay answered back immediately with a three-pointer on the next possession. After six minutes of play, East Bay began to pull away, leading the Urban Knights 20-9.
 
With 14:11 minutes left in the half senior center Cameron Niven came up with a lay-up, ART U's first points since the 17th minute. Academy of Art slowly chipped away at the lead on points from 12 different Knights, and the help of an array of fouls by the Pioneers.
 
After a made free throw by redshirt junior Victor Ruiz de Carranza, ART U was within two points of the Pioneers as the score sat 31-29 with 4:28 minutes left in the half.
 
Finally, with 2:52 left, the Urban Knights took the lead 32-31 on a three-pointer from junior guard Nemanja Kovacevic. ART U pulled away by three points with 2:28 remaining, but the Pioneers were able to come back to tie the game at 38-38 to end the half. 
           
The second half was a closely fought battle throughout, until the Pioneers pulled away and led 64-52 with eight minutes left to play.
 
The Urban Knights gained momentum in the final minutes of the game and brought the score within four points with just 14 seconds left to play, but they could not fully close the gap and dropped the game 79-74.  
 
Milivojevic came off the bench to lead the Urban Knights with 12 points in the home opener. Carranza added 11 rebounds to his team leading 28 while also collecting two blocks. Senior guard Cobe Williams facilitated the scoring, accumulating a season high five assist and scoring six points of his own.  
 
The Urban Knights' bench drastically outscored the Pioneers' 43-15 and heavily contributed to ART U's season high 74 points, but they were unable to overcome an aggressive starting unit for CSUEB that scored 64 of their 79 points.
 
With the loss Academy of Art drops to 0-3. ART U looks forward to an extended break until their next game on Nov. 23 at the Dixie State Thanksgiving Day Classic where they will take on host team Dixie State.