HONOLULU – Embracing its opportunity to compete on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Academy of Art women's basketball scored 19 points off 26 turnovers and never trailed on its way to a 70-59 Pacific West Conference victory over Chaminade. Four Urban Knights scored in double figures, seven recorded at least one steal, and 20 offensive rebounds helped the team produce 18 second chance points inside McCabe Gym as ART U completed its Hawaii roadtrip with two consecutive wins.

"Going into this game, knowing we had the honor of playing on King Day, we talked about how responsibility doesn't care that you're tired," said Head Coach Krystle Evans. "We were determined to play through any and all obstacles in honor of Dr. King's legacy. Our roster consists of 90 percent Black and Brown young women. We were able to play in Hawaii, and represent a university, a privilege that most of our ancestors did not have. The least we could do is play through shooting slumps and foul trouble. It was our responsibility to finish the job today."

Less than two minutes into the game, ART U held a 9-4 lead after converting its first four field goals including a layup and 3-pointer from freshman guard Alyssa Munn. The Silverswords would come back to within a single point multiple times thereafter, but the Knights continued to have answers whether it be buckets by junior guard Lauryn Manns or redshirt freshman guard Kaila Murrell. A layup by freshman forward/center Christy Ojide in the final minute settled the opening quarter score at 15-12 in favor of Academy of Art.

Freshman guard Milan Tuttle began the second with a 3-pointer to help push ART U to seven unanswered points and an eight-point advantage. Both Manns and junior guard Chanel Stuart later knocked down triples as the Knights closed the half on a 12-7 run, giving them a 37-28 lead after Munn scored on an offensive rebound and putback.

The lead hovered just above and below double digits in the third with freshman forward/center Alisha Wilson and Stuart getting Academy of Art going to start. Freshman guard Brooke Rodgers notched a steal and immediately scored on the other end to cap five quick points for ART U's largest margin to that point at 46-34. Still staying with their opponent, Chaminade cut the difference down to six points by the quarter's end as a buzzer-beating 3-pointer fell.

Wilson showed off her mid-range game with a pair of jumpers in the fourth quarter's opening two minutes then suddenly the Knights led 63-48 following 11 unanswered points. The Swords kept the lead from going beyond 15, but never got it back below single digits as Academy of Art did not allow a field goal from their opponents in the final four minutes.

"Gritty defense is part of our identity," Evans said. "Intensity on defense is non-negotiable. Everyone is committed to high pressure on the ball, contesting every shot, and winning the rebounding battle."

The Urban Knights complete their Hawaii roadtrip with two out of three wins to support a 9-6 overall record and 6-2 mark in PacWest play. Manns' game-high 14 points came along with three steals, Stuart filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and Wilson achieved her sixth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Munn contributed 11 points with five rebounds while Rodgers grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and Tuttle swiped four steals to match her season-high.

"I'm pleased with our ball movement in the month of January," Evans said. "We've done a good job of getting everyone involved and manufacturing offense from our defense. Everyone is contributing on the defensive end which leads to selfless play on the offensive end."

Now amid a nine-game slide, Chaminade drops to 1-9 on the season and 0-6 against conference opponents. The Silverswords were led by 13 points and nine rebounds from Dallas Martinez.

After returning to the mainland, ART U will play host to Fresno Pacific this Saturday, Jan. 22 inside Holy Names' Tobin Gymnasium at 2:30 p.m..