IRVINE, Calif. – Building a lead with one of its strongest defensive quarters in program history, Academy of Art women's basketball never relinquished that advantage en route to a 64-61 Pacific West Conference victory despite Concordia's near comeback inside CU Arena on Thursday evening. Freshman guard Alyssa Munn erupted for a career-high 21 points including five 3-pointers to pace the Urban Knights and a crucial steal from freshman guard Brooke Rodgers in the waning seconds secured the win.

ART U dominated on both ends of the court early as two triples from Munn sandwiched two driving layups by Rodgers and a 0-for-9 start from the floor by the Eagles contributed to a 12-1 lead. CUI managed its first and only basket of the quarter with three seconds left, finishing 1-for-10 from the field for the Knights' second-lowest opponent quarter point total allowed in a 14-6. The six points was back of only Cal State East Bay (5 in 2016) and tied Notre Dame de Namur (6 in 2017) and Holy Names (6 in 2017) since the quarter format began in 2015-16.

"In the first quarter we did a great job of of being aggressive, getting in the passing lane, and contesting shots," said Head Coach Krystle Evans. "We maintained our defensive intensity and that set the tone for the game."

Academy of Art pushed the margin to 14 points with a 10-4 start to the second quarter bookended by 3-pointers from junior guard Chanel Stuart and Munn. However, Concordia ended the half on a 7-0 run to make the halftime score 27-22 in favor of the visitors.

Back-to-back triples from redshirt sophomore guard/forward Hailey McCoy and Munn helped ART U move up 37-28. Consecutive steals led to immediate jumpers by junior guard Lauryn Manns for a 10-point difference midway through, but CUI once again rallied with a 7-2 surge to end the third behind 48-45. 

That momentum carried into the final frame as the Eagles came to within one point one minute in only to hit by a Manns bucket and Munn triple to make the score 55-49. It was not until the final minute that a single point again separated the two teams after Concordia knocked down a 3-pointer with 28 seconds left for a 62-61 ballgame. One free throw later, CUI was about to inbound the ball in a two-point game with six seconds left, but Rodgers swiped it and essentially sealed the 64-61 win with a free throw.

"Coming into this season we set a goal of never losing two games in a row," Evans said. "Brooke, Alyssa, and Lauryn stepped up on both sides of the floor and were determined to make sure we did not lose two games in a row. Our bench was locked in as well and gave us the energy we needed to get a tough road win. It takes collective toughness to win gritty games."

Academy of Art's win evens its records at 4-4 on the season and 1-1 against PacWest opponents. Munn bettered her previous career-high by seven with 21 points including five 3-pointers, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals.

"Alyssa Munn grew up 20 minutes from Irvine," Evans said. "This is the first time she was able to play in SoCal in her college career. She is also very close to Joy Krupa so seeing Joy go down, being at home, and knowing we could not lose two games in a row, she was determined to will us to a victory. I'm not surprised that she had a breakout game today, she always shows up big in big games."

Manns' 15 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field were a season-high while 11 points apiece came from Rodgers and Stuart. The latter of that duo added a team-high eight rebounds and three steals.

Now 5-4 overall and 2-2 in conference action, Concordia had four players score in double figures led by Michaela VanderKlugt's 17 points.

The Urban Knights' stretch of three games in six days continues this Saturday, Dec. 11 with ART U visiting Point Loma for a 1 p.m. tip-off in San Diego.