OAKLAND, Calif. – Stifling defense was exhibited by both sides throughout Tuesday evening's non-conference matchup of Academy of Art women's basketball and No. 10 Western Washington, but as things picked up after they combined to score just 13 points in the opening quarter, the Vikings used a third quarter momentum shift to ultimately take the 57-43 win inside Holy Names' Tobin Gym. Junior guard Chanel Stuart posted her first double-double of the season (12 points, 11 rebounds) to lead the Urban Knights.

Incredibly no points were scored in the game's opening two and a half minutes then just a 2-2 contest lasted until just under the five-minute mark. The team's combined for nine turnovers and nine missed shots during that span with free throws keeping the Urban Knights afloat toward a 9-4 lead for WWU at the first quarter's end.

A 6-0 run got the Vikings a double-digit lead in the first two minutes of the second, but Stuart stopped that push with three made free throws followed by her first triple mere seconds later. Western Washington appeared to be on its way to building back the margin, but freshman guard Alyssa Munn hit a shot in the final second to send the teams into the locker room separated only by seven points at 22-15.

WWU exploded out of the start to the third, using a 10-3 run to go up by 14, but 3-pointer from freshman guard Milan Tuttle and a layup by freshman forward/center Christy Ojide kept things from getting too out of hand as the Vikings carried a 40-25 advantage into the fourth.

ART U set the tone with a 6-0 surge all in the first two minutes of the fourth as Ojide converted free throws, set up Stuart for a layup, and redshirt freshman guard Kaila Murrell knocked down a jumper. The difference was 11 points after freshman Brooke Rodgers put in a layup, but a 9-2 response from Western Washington came over the next four minutes and the lead proved to be too great as the contest ended with WWU on top 57-43, a season-low in points for both squads.

Academy of Art exits its final regular season non-conference matchup at 5-5 overall. Stuart's 12-point, 11-rebound double-double was the sixth of her career and came with four steals (her second straight outing with four thefts and fifth straight with three or more). Ojide delivered her own season-high of 11 rebounds off the bench while freshman forward/center Alisha Wilson collected six points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Tuttle had six points as well.

Undefeated at 8-0 on the season and winners of 14 straight dating back to 2020, WWU was paced by 13 points apiece from Emma Duff and Carley Zaragoza. Avery Dkystra contributed a game-high 12 rebounds plus nine points.

ART U returns to Pacific West Conference play next with a chance to host Chaminade from Dominican's Conlan Center in San Rafael this Sunday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m.