IRVINE, Calif. – Academy of Art men's basketball sprinted out to a double-digit lead early on against Concordia and never looked back, as ART U once again knocked down over 50 percent of their attempts from the field en route to capturing their program-record fourth consecutive victory with a defeat of CUI 90-77 in Pacific West Conference action on Thursday. 

"We were focused and executed our game plan to perfection tonight," said ART U Head Coach Scott Waterman. "Being short handed, we had guys step up and make contributions across the board. Winning on the road is tough in the PacWest, and this win is a testament to the guys going out and making plays on both ends when it mattered. We have another big challenge Saturday, so we have not time to rest."

A layup from graduate student forward Adrian Byrd-Jelinek 16 seconds into the contest kicked off a 14-4 run by the Urban Knights (6-3, 2-0 PacWest), and ART U never looked back over the next 40 minutes. Great defensive reads and active hands led to 10 forced turnovers in the opening frame, keeping the Eagles (5-5, 2-2 PacWest) out of their rhythm as they were just 9-for-27 (33.3 percent) in the half. Offense from graduate student guards Deang Deang and Denny Slay kept the Eagles at bay with a double-digit cushion, as Deang dropped 12 while Slay added 11 in the opening period of play.

Not going away quietly, Concordia would twice trim the deficit down to just a six-point ART U edge, but a pair of layups from Byrd-Jelinek and Deang would stomp out any chance of an Eagles comeback effort. With four Urban Knights collecting at least two steals, led by three from Byrd-Jelinek, ART U reached double-digit steals as a team for the fourth time this season by closing out the game with 11. In fact, the Knights would force 17 total turnovers by the Eagles, leading to a total of 19 points off of those giveaways. 

Part of the succes for Academy of Art came own in the paint, as the fast pace led to many high-percentage looks and ultimately a season-best 44 points from down low. ART U iced the game by scoring their final 10 points from the free throw line, posting their best percentage of the season at the charity stripe after they finished 22-for-24 (91.7 percent). 

Tonight's victory marked the third time in four games that the Knights have hit the 90-point mark, something that ART U had previously done only three times in the past six seasons combined. Each of the past four contests have seen five Urban Knights finish in double figures while Academy of Art as a squad hit on half of their attempts from the floor, this time with Slay leading the way thanks to a season-and-game-high 24 points (8-for-12, 66.7 percent). Sophomore forward Latrell Williams snatched his fourth double-double of the young season with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Nearly missing his own double-double was Deang, chipping in 18 points with nine boards.

Academy of Art will look to make it five wins in a row when they conclude their short two-game road trip on Saturday against Point Loma with tip-off set for 3 p.m.