SAN FRANCISCO – In a game that included a slow start from two teams that now average over 76.0 points per game, big second halves from both sides ultimately led to the 88-73 final score that saw Academy of Art men's basketball taking home the win over Simon Fraser on Friday afternoon.

"It's good to get a second win in a row tonight with a great defensive effort," said ART U Head Coach Scott Waterman. "Our goal is to always hold teams under 42 percent shooting from the field and we did that while also forcing 22 turnovers. Offensively, our unselfishness was great with 21 assists, but as always, as we enter Pacific West Conference play we must continue to get better every day."

During a first half that contained a 35-24 score in favor of the Urban Knights, the Red Leafs stayed neck-and-neck with ART U for the majority of the opening frame, but it was a 16-5 run for the home team which propelled themselves ahead by double-digits when entering the break. The run was highlighted by four straight three-point shots, all by different Knights including senior forward Isaiah Williams, senior guard Rodney Munson, junior forward Bryce Moore, and redshirt junior guard Donovan Vickers in that order, with a free throws in between. Defensively, senior guard Treylon Payne led the way with three steals in the first half while senior forward Quintin Metcalf and Vickers each collected five rebounds.

Outscoring SFU 53-49 in the second frame, Academy of Art joined the Red Leafs in upping the tempo to combine for just over 100 points in the final 20 minutes. ART U consistently saw a low double-digit lead throughout the half up until just below five minutes remaining, where they built upon it, moving above 20 multiple times with shots from Munson and junior forward Damarcies Moore, as well as a dunk from redshirt junior forward Peter-Kaci Gwananji all in that timeframe. With zeros on the clock, the final score rounded out at 88-73 to elevate the Knights' record to 4-3 with baskets from 10 different members of ART U.

Leading the team on the offensive end was Munson, who saw four 3-pointers fall in his game-high 22 points scored. Williams followed up with 16 points while shooting efficiently from the field, going 5-for-7 and 3-for-4 from three-point range. Metcalf joined in the double-digits in points with 12 while leading the team in steals (four) while Vickers added on his first double-double performance of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Vickers additionally led the team in assists (seven) with Payne providing six, all while Bryce Moore locked it down with four blocks.

Watching their record fall to 4-6 overall, the Red Leafs had four scored in the double-digits highlighted by 15 points from Lenz Dupont.

ART U will next enter PacWest Conference play, hosting Vanguard from SF State's Main Gymnasium on Thursday, Dec. 5 with a 7:30 p.m. tip.