SAN FRANCISCO – The Academy of Art men's basketball team couldn't overcome a first half deficit, as they dropped a Pacific West Conference contest inside Kezar Pavilion to Azusa Pacific, 76-59.
 
Despite dominating the points in the paint 42-20, ART U (4-8, 2-3 PacWest) held the lead just once in the game, getting things started with a layup from redshirt junior forward Luka Radovic. After falling behind, Radovic would tie the game at 7-7 at the 15:49 mark, but an APU 3-pointer from Gerritt Beetstra would put the Cougars (10-3, 5-2 PacWest) back in front. The Urban Knights would stay within striking distance for a little while, but a 9-3 run by APU gave them a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish. Going into the break, it was a 40-25 Cougar advantage. 
 
Not even 45.5 percent shooting from the field in the second half could save ART U as APU had the hotter hand in the second frame, knocking down 50 percent of their looks. The lead would be no smaller than 13 points and the Cougars finished with the 17-point victory, 76-59.
 
Seven Urban Knights scored at least five points, including two in double-figures: redshirt junior guard Dante Williams with 11 and junior guard Kai Tease with 10. Radovic pulled down a team-high six boards to go with eight points.
 
Selom Mawugbe of the Cougars paced all scorers with 15 points in a double-double effort to go along with 12 rebounds and six blocks. Also making it to double-figures in scoring was Beetstra and Ken West, who each added 12, while Jake Spurgeon chipped in 11. 
 
ART U will get the chance to even up their PacWest record on Jan. 4 when they host conference leaders Concordia from Kezar Pavilion at 3:30 p.m.