BELMONT, Calif. – Shooting over 64 percent from the field in the first quarter capped by a 10-2 run, Academy of Art women's basketball got ahead of Notre Dame de Namur to start and the Urban Knights never looked back on their way to a 74-65 Pacific West Conference victory in Saturday's season finale inside Walter Gleason Gym. Leading the charge once more, graduate student guard Tayler Bennett poured in a game-high 22 points and broke the program's single-season three-point field goals made record with five on the day.

"Going into this game we emphasized taking the best shot and rhythm shots," said head coach Krystle Evans. "In the first quarter, we did a good job of moving the ball and taking advantage of open looks."

ART U's first points of the afternoon fittingly came on a Bennett 3-pointer and the teams would go back-and-forth until the final two minutes when a jumper by junior guard/forward Lily Perkins tied the game at 16-16. Senior forward Ines Medina followed that up with a triple and the 10-2 quarter-ending push featured a 3-pointer from senior guard Josselyn Morris.

After a scoreless minute and a half opened the second quarter, the action quickly picked up with five consecutive made baskets between the teams. Soon Bennett put in 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to break the single-season record midway through the frame and Academy of Art found itself up 37-29. Medina connected from long range in the final minute of the half and the score favored the Knights 42-34 at the break.

"Tayler Bennett is the most efficient shooter I've ever coached," said Evans. "This summer, she worked on her conditioning, shooting, and handles five times a week then came into the season extremely focused so I am not surprised she is graduating as the program leader for threes made in a single season. She has left some big shoes to fill."

Though the Argonauts cut down the margin to four points in the early stages of the third, an 8-2 run featuring six points from Bennett put ART U right back in control and buckets by junior forward Megan Jefferson as well as Perkins returned the lead to 10 points heading into the fourth.

A 3-pointer from Morris sparked a timely 7-0 burst midway through the final frame and free throws from sophomore guard Chanel Stuart, Bennett, and Medina sealed what ended as a 74-65 victory to close the season.

Posting double-digit wins for ninth time in program history, Academy of Art finished 2019-20 at 10-16 overall and 8-14 in PacWest action. Bennett's 80 triples made came after she hit five as part of a 22-point performance on Saturday. Perkins added 17 points off the bench while Medina's 13 points came with three 3-pointers to settle her in at fourth in program history in career three-point field goals made (94). Stuart totaled a career-high seven assists in the victory.

Notre Dame de Namur ends its season at 9-19 overall and 7-15 in conference play. Four Argos scored in double figures led by Cheyenne Jankulovski's 18 points.

"This year we made steps in the right direction," said Evans. "As a group we recognize we have made major strides but we are not satisfied, we are excited to get back to work and prepare for next season.