FRESNO, Calif. – Academy of Art men's basketball couldn't overcome a fast start and hot shooting by Fresno Pacific, as FPU knocked down 58.5 percent of its looks from the field en route to a 87-75 Pacific West Conference victory on Saturday.

It was a 10-0 run to start the game for the Sunbirds (5-4, 4-0 PacWest), who took the early lead and did their best not to look back. The long ball was working in the first half, as any time the Urban Knights (2-6, 2-6 PacWest) would make a push to get close, FPU would nail an opportunity from downtown to recapture momentum. At the end of the frame, the Sunbirds had converted on half of their looks from the field, and was 7-for-14 from 3-point range as they established a 47-38 lead. Providing the majority of the ART U offense was senior guard Stefan Milivojevic, dropping 16 points in the first half alone to keep the game within striking range. 

The deficit for the Urban Knights would shrink to as low as seven points, but could not find the timely bucket to wrestle control of the game from FPU. It seemed as if most shots would fall in the second half for Fresno Pacific, going 16-for-23 (69.6 percent) from the field in the frame. Not packing it in, senior forward Josh Hill had the offense going in the second half for the Knights, chipping in 14 points in the frame on his way to a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Milivojevic would end his night with 17 points, while junior guard Christian Popoola Jr. added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. 

Four different Sunbirds finished in double-digits, led by Aamondae Coleman who topped all scorers with 25 points to go with five boards. Garrett Cook made four baskets on the night, all of them from deep, as he registered 18 points while Nate Kendricks finished with 17 (6-for-11).