SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art men's basketball was able to overcome a slow start against Sonoma State on Sunday, gaining momentum through the second half before eventually forcing overtime, and clinching the win with a big defensive stop moments after a go-ahead putback layup by graduate student guard Deang Deang. 

"Tonight was another hard fought victory that is going to continue to prepare us for the rigors of PacWest play," said ART U Head Coach Scott Waterman. "I give credit to our guys for rallying and again making plays when it matters."

Undeterred by a 9-0 run from the Seawolves (0-2) midway through the first half that would eventually grow into a double-digit lead, the Urban Knights (2-0) closed out the frame with a 7-0 run of their own, setting the stage for late-game theatrics down the stretch. The lead ping-ponged between the two teams with nearly each bucket made under the five-minute mark, but ironically enough, neither team made a shot in the final two minutes of play thanks to the tough defensive efforts from both teams.

Sonoma State started the overtime period with a pair of layups to build a three-point lead, but ART U graduate student guard Denny Slay stopped any momentum they were building when he knotted the game with a three-ball. The Knights would briefly take the lead once more with a pair of free throws from redshirt junior guard and eventual SF State Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Most Valuable Player Christian Popoola Jr., but the Seawolves responded with a jumper of their own, threatening to send the game to another overtime period. 

This time it was the Knights' chance to respond, which they did when Popoola Jr. was able to hit a floater from near the baseline, this time putting ART U ahead for good with a minute left. Deang added the insurance when he came flying through the air for a putback layup, capping off his double-double with game-highs 20 points and 10 rebounds, including a perfect 9-for-9 shooting effort. He became the second player in program history to post a 1.000 shooting percentage while making at least eight buckets, joining Aaron Aikman who did so on Nov. 9, 2013. 

Defense would come up big one last time in the closing moments, as the Knights forced a low-percentage shot from the Seawolves with just two seconds left to preserve the win, just the second 2-0 start in program history and the first since they also did so in the 2015-16 season. ART U had active hands throughout the game, coming up with 12 steals while forcing 25 turnovers. 

Also reaching double-figures was the duo of junior guard Klay Brown and graduate student guard Joshua Bagley, as Brown finished one board shy of his own double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds. Bagley would hit 10 points after he added the final two points of the game from the free throw line, adding that to a game-high six assists, a mark he has now hit eight times in his career. Sophomore forward Latrell Williams finished with eight points, five rebounds, and three steals en route to being named All-Tournament Team.

The Knights will look to start 3-0 for the first time in program history the next time they take the court, which will be on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. against Chico State.