SEASIDE, Calif. – With important contributions coming from its entire roster, Academy of Art women's basketball began its 2024-25 campaign on a winning note, using an 8-0 run to separate from SF State for the 78-72 victory as part of the CCAA/PacWest Crossover inside Cal State Monterey Bay's The Kelp Bed on Friday.

"Extremely proud of the group for finding their composure and taking control of the advantages that were created in the fourth quarter," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "SF State had created a type of game that we prefer; they simply were doing it a lot better than us for a majority of the game."

The Urban Knights started on fire, knocking down seven of their first 10 shots including two 3-pointers from junior guard Alba Rovira Ayuso to establish a 17-8 lead. A layup by freshman forward Keira Mitchell helped ART U end the opening quarter shooting over 57 percent from the field with a 21-12 advantage.

SF State responded quickly by way of a 16-3 start to the second, assuming a 28-24 lead before sophomore guard Lucia Revenga countered by converting a three-point play. The margin was never greater than four points for the remainder of the half as Revenga added free throws to keep it 31-29 in favor of the Gators heading to the break.

The third quarter saw the two sides come out hot and featured a combined six consecutive made baskets during one early sequence. After multiples steals and transition layups by senior forward/center Christy Ojide Boiko, a triple from graduate student guard Emilia Dougherty knotted the game at 51-51. ART U would have lead heading into the fourth if it had not been for a SF State 3-pointer in the last 20 seconds.

Staying right with the Gators in the final frame, the Knights thrillingly took a 63-62 lead on the first collegiate 3-pointer for freshman guard Violet Stutz midway through before doing so once more on a three-point play from senior forward Yasmine Sifaoui. Stutz struck again from distance and Ojide Boiko added a layup to elevate the Knights to a 72-66 difference they would not relinquish as the quarter wrapped up with ART U shooting over 53 percent from the field (their third time doing so on Friday including north of 84 percent in the third) and a 78-72 win.

''It felt great in the fourth quarter," Stutz said. "Our energy changed and we had fight to win. We had Christy and Yas picking up the tempo and being aggressive at the basket, so I knew I needed to step up and do the same, be open for them, and make my shots. I was in rhythm and I was ready to knock down those crucial shots. This was a good victory for us. Obviously we have work to do, but I'm really enjoying playing with the team and finding our rhythm together. I'm excited for our journey this year.''

Opening the season at 1-0, Academy of Art was led by Rovira Ayuso's 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field including 4-for-7 from three-point range. Stutz delivered two 3-pointers as part of her 12 points, Sifaoui provided 11 points and nine rebounds, and Ojide Boiko finished with 10 points on a 5-for-6 day from the field to round out ART U's double-digit scorers. Revenga offered seven points and four rebounds as well.

"The balanced scoring is something that we feel is a big strength of this group, it allows us to be very flexible offensively," Clark said. "Yasmine and Violet made some crucial plays down the stretch for us to push the lead but tightening up of our concepts and a couple of adjustments defensively are really what helped us spark us. Christy created some big-time plays in the third that I feel were critical to help get us going."

SF State, 0-1 to begin its campaign, had a game-high 22 points come from Alexsandra Alvarado while Ana Daniels added 18 points, eight rebounds, and six steals.

The Urban Knights return to The Kelp Bed tomorrow for an 11 a.m. tip-off against CCAA/PacWest Crossover host Cal State Monterey Bay.

"The quick turnaround is something that we have prepared for and are looking forward to the challenge," Clark said. "Our strength coach and athletic trainer have done an incredible job. The focus will be on our layers that create composure and the execution of our tactics. We are excited to play again."