FRESNO, Calif. – Taking the court for its first Pacific West Conference matchup of the season on Thursday evening, Academy of Art women's basketball was met with a big first quarter from Fresno Pacific inside the Special Events Center. Though the remainder of the contest was played relatively evenly, the initial margin guided FPU to a 95-63 victory.

The Sunbirds started the game strong, getting ahead 21-5 before an offensive rebound and putback by junior forward Megan Jefferson. Graduate student guard Tayler Bennett nailed a 3-pointer thereafter, but 65 percent shooting from the field powered FPU to a 32-10 advantage at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Fresno Pacific's hot shooting came back down to earth in the second quarter and meanwhile junior guard Pam Wilmore was heavily involved in the Urban Knights' offense. She scored or assisted over half of the team's field goals in the quarter including a layup with 26 seconds left.

Coming out of halftime ahead 47-21, the Sunbirds traded baskets with Academy of Art, but after FPU went up 65-32, seven unanswered points by ART U (five from senior guard Josselyn Morris) cut into the margin. Fresno Pacific, however, responded with its own 7-0 run and headed to the fourth ahead 72-42.

The Knights converted of six of their first eight baskets to start the final quarter yet the Sunbirds remained with Academy of Art each step of the way. Senior guard/forward Ines Medina put in back-to-back baskets late, but time ran out with FPU on top 95-63.

Thursday's result moved ART U to 2-1 on the year and 0-1 in PacWest play. Scoring her highest point total of the young season, Wilmore finished with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field as well as four rebounds and four assists. Off the bench, Medina added 12 points and Jefferson grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

Improving to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in conference, Fresno Pacific was led by a game-high 27 points plus 14 rebounds from Cassie Pisik. She was one of four Sunbirds to score in double figures.

Next up for the Urban Knights will be their first home game of the season on Sunday, Dec. 15. Academy of Art hosts Chaminade inside Kezar Pavilion with tipoff set for 1 p.m.