OAKLAND, Calif. – Although Academy of Art women's basketball established an eight-point lead in the opening quarter on strong production from the Urban Knights starters, Westmont made a move late in the second quarter and into the third to take the 79-62 Pacific West Conference rematch on Thursday evening inside Laney College Gym.

From a 4-4 tie to start, a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Alba Rovira Ayuso and a basket from freshman guard Anna Fornells initiated a 10-2 run that featured another Rovira Ayuso triple for the 14-6 lead. Six unanswered points came as part of the Warriors' counterattack to end the first quarter with ART U ahead 14-12 then a 7-1 start to the second frame gave the visitors the advantage.

Freshman guard Maddie Morrow returned the score to a single-digit ballgame with a 3-pointer at 19-18, but Westmont had worked a 35-26 margin by the halftime buzzer. Though Rovira Ayuso struck first in the second half, a 10-1 push enabled the Warriors to force a double-digit lead, going up by as many as 20 in the third quarter.

A three-point play from Rovira Ayuso had the difference down to 14 midway through the fourth before junior forward Yasmine Sifaoui's layup continued to key the ART U comeback attempt, but conversions at the foul line would effectively seal the 79-62 victory for Westmont.

Academy of Art, now 4-16 overall and 3-11 in PacWest action, was paced offensively by Rovira Ayuso who turned in 19 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field plus five rebounds. Fornells logged her second consecutive game scoring in double figures with 12 points while Morrow provided 10 points off the bench. Sifaoui finished with nine points and nine rebounds to complement a strong day from fellow junior forward/center Christy Ojide who matched her career high with four blocks for the second straight game.

"Difficult night for us to get into a consistent rhythm on either end and credit to Westmont," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "Yet I do feel we were able to take another step forward in learning about the elite level of focus and execution that it takes to have consistent success."

Westmont's victory puts their overall record at 9-12 while their conference record moves to 5-8. Bailey Fong led all scorers with 39 points including 6-for-8 from long range and 11-for-14 from the foul line, adding five steals as well.

ART U will continue its four-part homestand with a 1 p.m. matchup hosting Fresno Pacific this Saturday, Feb. 10 back inside Laney College Gym for ALS Awareness Day.