SAN FRANCISCO – A clash between two teams that met last year in the NCAA Division II West Regionals lived up to the hype, with Academy of Art men's basketball playing a strong second half, but No. 6 Saint Martin's held on to their lead they created in the opening frame, taking the victory for the 92-81 win on Friday.

Everything was falling in the Saints' favor throughout the first half as they shot 62 percent from the field while knocking down 10 triples. Saint Martin's continued their strong first half efforts throughout the duration of the frame, constantly creating quality ball movement while playing in unison. The Saints would go into the half up 55-34.

Junior forward Jamal Fuller led the Urban Knights in the first half, recording 13 points through his 15 minutes of play. Junior forward Ashton Howard also provided spark, putting up eight points in the half while taking in five rebounds. Senior forward Latrell Williams tied with Howard for the team-lead five rebounds as the halftime buzzer rang.

Coming out of the break, Academy of Art played hard to attempt to lessen the deficit early. SMU fought back, as they maintained their double-digit lead while Kyle Greeley and his supporting cast put up consistent points. What helped the Knights play a better half was their new-look defense out of halftime, as the team's 11 steals, including five from junior guard Rodney Munson, and six blocks kept the Saints from not increasing their lead.

While the Knights managed to get their deficit to as little as 11 points in the back half of the second period, the Saints powered through until the final whistle to improve to an undefeated 7-0 and take the contest 92-81. While Greeley finished the game with 18 points for SMU, six other members of the squad also finished in the double-digits.

Fuller would go on a scoring spree down the stretch in the second half, as he would finish with 32 points (tied for seventh-most by an Urban Knight in a game), keeping up with his strong offensive performances that paired with his play two days prior (33 points) against Stanislaus State. Latrell Williams would put up double-digit points connected with his nine rebounds, while junior forward Isaiah Williams was one of five Knights with five or more rebounds, while he blocked three shots.

ART U will look to respond with a game against Jessup next Friday, as they will battle in their last contest before Pacific West Conference play begins, happening at home inside Kezar Pavilion with a 7 p.m. tip.