OAKLAND, Calif. – Although Academy of Art men's basketball saw four double-digit scoring performances and held the lead for just over 23 minutes longer than Westmont, it was the Warriors who took over in the clutch with a 65-62 result and got one win closer to the Urban Knights in the Pacific West Conference standings. 

In a first half in which ART U never faced a deficit, the Knights steadily remained just ahead of Westmont throughout the opening frame as both sides saw their defenses rise to the occasion. Though the Warriors could never find a lead in the starting 20 minutes, they disallowed Academy of Art to create a double-digit lead, as they'd only ever be down by nine at the most with seven minutes to go, their largest deficit of the contest. 

Tying it up before halfway through the second half, Westmont managed to see the game neck and neck at 41-41 for the first time since two minutes after the tip-off. A trio of free throws from the Warriors' Adrian McIntyre would create a lead, and ART U would continue to then trade the lead back-and-forth with the away squad four more times before the guests went up 53-51, and never looked back. McIntyre and buckets from De'Undrae Perteete would help create a lead of nine for Westmont, and the Knights did manage to get that deficit to just three points in 45 seconds of play, but the time would expire at 65-62 in favor of Westmont.

As redshirt junior Donovan Vickers led the Knights in scoring tonight with 14 points, junior Robbie Armbrester (11), senior forward Isaiah Williams (11), and senior forward Quintin Metcalf (10) all joined with double-digits.

Of the quartet, it was Armbrester who showed the flashiest game, recording his first double-double of the season with his career-high 13 rebounds, while he additionally added five steals. Junior forward Bryce Moore showed off his defensive capabilities as well, being a main contributor during ART U's time without the ball.

The Knights will head out on the road next, as the squad will take on Dominican at their place Monday, Feb. 17 with a 7:30 p.m. tip.