CHICO, Calif. – With a similar storyline in both halves, Academy of Art men's basketball dropped its clash with No. 22 Chico State by an 86-75 final score as the Wildcats defended their home court, shooting above 50 percent from the field throughout the duration of the game.

The Urban Knights, who are now 1-2 overall, were the team that started off hot, building an early lead that was once up to eight points less than seven minutes into the contest. Junior forward Isaiah Williams recorded 10 points out of ART U's first 19, starting off his strong first half with back-to-back scores off of two fast breaks which resulted in a layup and a dunk for the Oklahoma City native. He followed those buckets up with multiple 3-pointers, as he caught fire early, adding four steals and two assists during that span.

Chico State's eventual comeback came halfway through the first half with multiple members of the Wildcats making contributions, including Adam Afifi, Evan Oliver, and Kelvin Wright Jr. Chico State would maintain its lead throughout the rest of the half with the Knights never falling far behind. As Isaiah Williams kept leading the battle, senior forward Latrell Williams, junior forward Jamal Fuller, and junior guard Rodney Munson joining in, each scoring at least six points and combining for six 3-pointers in the half while Isaiah Williams led the way with 13 points. The Wildcats would go into the break up 41-36.

The Knights came out of halftime and looked similar to how they did at the start of the game, fighting for early buckets to erase the narrow deficit. Soon down by around double-digit points with 13 minutes left, the Knights turned on the gas, as they went on to score 12 straight points to give them their first lead of the period. The comeback run was orchestrated by junior guard Allen Taylor, as he scored three straight shots that included two 3-pointers to bring the Knights within one, and Munson topped it off with a score from deep of his own to put ART U up.

With the Wildcats now down, they once again looked towards their hot hands, and regained their lead with sharp shooting. The teams would go back-and-forth and the Knights would be down just four in the final minutes, but Chico State would go on a run and end the contest at 86-75. Afifi (23 points) and Jojo Murphy (21 points) would lead the Wildcats to the win and help improve them to 3-0, as they were the only players on the squad to score in double digits.

Latrell Williams would finish off the contest with 20 points to pace ART U, adding on seven rebounds, as Fuller (17 points), Munson (15 points), and Isaiah Williams (13 points) all scored in the double-digits. 

Action continues next Wednesday, Nov. 22 for the Urban Knights, as ART U will begin a six-game homestand, starting with their season opener against Stanislaus State at Kezar Pavilion with a 3 p.m. tip-off.