OAKLAND, Calif. -- Academy of Art men's basketball made a late second half push and trailed by just five points with two minutes to play, but ART U was unable to complete the come back against Biola and fell 62-54.

After trailing 4-0 to start the first half, senior guard Kiel Long broke through the Eagles defense for a successful three-point attempt that sparked back-to-back shots from the Urban Knights. ART U went out to a brief 7-4 lead until Biola sank a trip of free throws and finished a layup to go up by one.

Though the Urban Knights were unable to take the lead, they kept scoring to stay within striking distance, never allowing the Eagles to lead by more than six. With 8:47 to play senior center Cameron Niven tied the score up at 14 on a strong layup in the paint. Niven was a solid producer on both side of the ball, putting up six points, eight rebounds, and three blocks while shooting 50% from the field.

The Urban Knights brought the score to 23-20 after a defensive rebound by junior forward Victor Ruiz de Carranza led to a layup by junior forward Andrija Blatancic. Carranza followed the assist with a three-pointer to narrow the Eagles' 25-23 advantage.

The international duo of Blatancic and Carranza were essential in the Knights offense against the Eagles. Blatancic led the team with 15 points, and also contributed three blocks, five rebounds and a lone assist. Carranza trailed Blatancic in points with nine, but collected eight rebounds, three assists, and a block.

Carranza's three were the last points for ART U of the half and they entered the locker room down 29-23.

After Biola extended their lead to eight, senior guard Cole Morgan made a layup off a fast break, drew the foul, and made his free throw to complete the three-point play.

The Urban Knights continued to chip away at the Eagles' lead and with 12:55 remaining, tied the game at 35 on a deep ball from sophomore guard Stefan Milivojevic and back to back layups from Blatancic. A Carranza layup edged the Knights past the Eagles to give ART U its first lead since the opening period.

But the Eagles came back with an 11-2 run to take a comfortable lead they held until the final whistle and took the game 62-54.

With the loss, ART U falls to 3-10 overall and 3-5 in PacWest conference play.  The Urban Knights next opportunity to improve their record will be Saturday, Jan 12 in Kezar Pavilion versus Fresno Pacific at 3:30 p.m.