San Rafael, Calif. – On the road for the final time in January, Academy of Art women's basketball shot over 55 percent from the field in the opening quarter then bettered that mark in the third, but Saturday afternoon's Pacific West Conference pairing with Dominican went to the Penguins 71-53 as DUC converted 27 points off turnovers inside the Conlan Center.

The Penguins began the contest on an 11-2 run, but three different Urban Knights converted baskets thereafter to help bring ART U to within six points at 15-9. Following a 17-11 lead after one quarter of play, Dominican went back and forth with the Knights as two layups from sophomore guard Alba Rovira Ayuso helped keep her team close. A 3-pointer by freshman guard Maddie Morrow was followed by junior forward/center Christy Ojide's layup as Academy of Art cut the deficit to 25-20, but DUC closed the half on an 7-0 run to enter the midpoint up 32-20.

Halfway through the third quarter, ART U had the margin down to seven following a 7-0 run fueled by a basket from freshman guard Anna Fornells, free throws from freshman guard Lucia Revenga, and another Morrow triple, but Dominican again finished the frame strong on an 11-4 burst to push a 52-37 advantage. Morrow and Fornells each connected from distance in the early portion of the fourth to bring the Knights within 11 points, but successive Penguins triples kept the momentum on the home side to the 71-53 final.

Now 4-12 overall and 3-7 in conference play, ART U offered a balanced scoring attack with six Knights scoring seven or more points led by Revenga's 11 points. Morrow's 3-for-6 effort from long range gave her nine points off the bench along with Fornells' nine points plus five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Rovira Ayuso added eight points, five rebounds, and two steals while the tandem of Ojide and junior forward Yasmine Sifaoui combined for 14 points and eight rebounds.

Dominican improves to 15-3 on the year and 8-2 PacWest matchups, getting a game-high 18 points from Keyonee Neal along with 12 points off the bench from Adia Walker.

"Credit to Dominican this afternoon and their consistent ability to knock down shots at important times," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "We will return to the practice court and prepare for our next opponent."

Academy of Art now prepares to play its second home game of the New Year this Thursday, Jan. 25 when the Knights host Concordia at 5 p.m. from Kezar Pavilion.