OAKLAND, Calif. – Offense was working well for Academy of Art men's basketball when they needed it the most, as ART U finished the game shooting a season-high 55 percent from the field which propelled them to a 93-89 victory over Humboldt State on Sunday. The 93 points were also a
top mark in the 2020-21 campaign, and are
the sixth-most points in a single game in ART U history.
"Tonight was a great team victory, all eleven guys who played contributed in a positive way," said ART U Head Coach
Scott Waterman. "One great part of the team victory was how we shared the ball and had a season-high 21 assists. Down the stretch, we made some key defensive stops which helped season the game. We look forward to using this game as a springboard for our final three games in conference games this week. The team is continuing to get better in what has been an unusual year."
After weathering the first-half storm from the Jacks (1-1, 0-0 CCAA) and trailing by five at the break, the Urban Knights (3-7, 2-7 PacWest) got the ball moving and would go on to total 58 points in the second frame, knocking down 64.5 percent of their looks from the floor. The Knights would succeed in tying the game with just over eight minutes to play, only to watch HSU get a couple of quick buckets and quickly reclaim the lead.
It was then that ART U would strike for the best stretch of the night with an 11-0 run, chewing up two minutes of game clock and taking a two-point advantage. After a season-best fourth three-ball in the game from redshirt junior guard
Jalen Lovett gave the Urban Knights a six-point lead with two and a half minutes remaining, HSU turned up the pressure defensively and nabbed a pair of steals leading to immediate points. The turnovers would prove to be costly as the lead would quickly shrink back to just one, but with little time left on the clock, ART U would ice the game from the free throw stripe to clinch the victory.
Ball movement was key for the Urban Knights, as they ended the day with 21 total assists, yet another season-best mark and
tied for the seventh most in a single game in ART U history. A third of those helpers belonged to senior guard
Joshua Bagley, tying the
career-high he first set in Dec. 2019 against Cal State San Bernardino. While five Urban Knights would hit double figures, Lovett's 21 points on 8-for-12 (66.7 percent) shooting led the way, adding to it a pair of assists and three rebounds. Another game and another double-double for senior forward
Josh Hill, as he posted his seventh of the campaign in 10 games with 16 points (on 6-for-8 shooting; 75 percent) and a team-high 11 boards. The hands were also active for Hill, snatching a career-high five steals on the defensive end. Senior guards
Stefan Milivojevic was hot from the floor as well, chipping in 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting (66.7 percent).
AJ Sims of Humboldt State would lead all scorers with 29 points, knocking down 11 field goals and pulling down seven boards, both of which were also team highs. Just behind him for the Jacks was Victor Mijas, going 5-for-10 from 3-point range and ending his day with 16 points.
The final week of the season is a busy one for the Urban Knights, as they prepare for three games in five against both PacWest NorCal pod members Fresno Pacific and Dominican, including senior day scheduled against the Penguins on Friday.
