BELMONT, Calif. – Though Academy of Art men's basketball was closing the gap while trailing Stanislaus State in non-conference action and twice cut the deficit to just three points in the final minutes, Stan State responded with 3-pointers to stay in control as they held off ART U down the stretch on Tuesday, 68-59. 

One of the keys to the matchup was the three-ball, as each of the first four buckets from the Warriors (2-3) came from beyond the arc as the two teams tried to establish control. Battling to stay in the contest was the Urban Knights (2-3), coming to a one-possession game near the midway point of the first frame until the fifth Stan State trey of the half stopped the momentum. However, the Warriors lead would fluctuate as they were not able to capitalize, allowing ART U to go into the break only down three thanks to a trio of steals and a three near the buzzer from graduate student guard Joshua Bagley.

Stanislaus State seized momentum out of the break with an 11-2 run to open the second frame, pushing the lead into double digits. Much like the first half, the Knights would battle themselves back into the game, hitting 40 percent of their looks from the field as they looked for the comeback effort. 

With seven minutes left, the Knights were threatening to eliminate what had been a 10-point Warriors lead, as graduate student forward Adrian Byrd-Jelinek buried a jumper to bring ART U close again. Just as they had done earlier, a Stan State three from Tony Singleton kept the Knights at bay, one of his five 3-pointers in the game.

This time Academy of Art didn't fold, a pair of jumpers from sophomore forward Latrell Williams and Bagley once again separated the teams by just three points. For the third time in the game, Stanislaus State would instantly respond with a ball from downtown thanks to Benno Zecic, using the final of his three long balls to stop any ART U comeback and hold on for the win. 

Dropping 11 points each for the Knights was the combo of Byrd-Jelinek and graduate student guard Denny Slay, who was responsible for a pair of first-half 3-pointers that stopped the Stan State lead from growing too large. Bagley and graduate student guard Deang Deang would chip in nine points apiece, with Deang also producing a season-high four assists. 

ART U's next chance to rebound will come this Friday, as the Knights host Saint Martin's for a showdown at 4 p.m.