HONOLULU -- ART U was never out of the game and fought to the final second, but Hawaii Pacific prevailed, avenging their loss to the Urban Knights earlier this season on Dec. 31.

The Urban Knights put the first points on the board when senior guard Cobe Williams threaded the ball to senior guard Keil Long at the post who put it up for two. C. Williams currently sits atop the all-time career assist list after breaking the record against UH Hilo two days earlier. Against the Sharks, he walked away with a team leading five assists along with three steals and five points.

ART U  jumped to an early 9-4 lead with 13:07 left in the first half, after a fast break layup from sophomore guard Dante Williams. HPU answered back with a 13-0 run to put the Knights down by eight.

ART U began to fight back, and slowly chipped away at the lead, starting with a three-pointer from junior guard Victor Ruiz de Carranza. Finally the lead was narrowed to one when sophomore guard Stefan Milivojevic sank back to back three-pointers.

The duo of Carranza and Milivojevic played a key role in the Knights' offensive play. Together they led the team in points with 15 apiece. Milivojevic finished with three rebounds and two assists, while Carranza had five assists and six rebounds. Carranza was also perfect from behind the arc going 2-of-2, and shot nearly perfect from the field shooting 6-of-7.

In the final minute of the half, it was junior guard Nemanja Kovacevic with the the fast break layup that brought the score within one, but the Sharks hit a three at the last second to head into the locker room leading 34-29.

ART U came out of the locker room swinging with a huge block by junior forward Andrija Blatancic. Blatancic, who usually plays a huge offensive role, stepped up on the defensive side of the ball.

The forward out of Norway, pulled out a team leading eight rebounds, while putting up a block, a steal, and seven points.

With the Sharks ahead 38-33, C. Williams drained a shot from behind the arc narrowing the lead to two. While the game stayed close, ART U was unable overtake the lead, and with just 1:30 left to play the Sharks were up 67-58.

A massive three-pointer by Milivojevic, and huge dunk by Carranza brought the Knights within four, but the effort was not enough to push past HPU, and the Knights fell 69-64.

After the loss, ART U moves to 8-9 in conference and 8-14 overall. ART U will round out their Hawaiian tour with Chaminade Tuesday Feb 12 at 7:30 p.m. H.T.