IRVINE, Calif. – Academy of Art men's basketball competed with Concordia down south on Thursday night, and it was the Golden Eagles who would secure a 60-55 triumph after being held to just 20 points in the first half, the least the Urban Knights have given up in a half in the 2024-25 campaign. 

An opening frame that saw the Eagles being held scoreless for a five-minute run, the Knights held a lead as many as 11 points while holding a 29-20 lead at the break. It seemed the Golden Eagles had no answer for ART U's strong defensive pressure in the first half, as the Knights had four players with at least two steals entering the locker rooms. With the nine-point lead, ART U shot efficiently as the team knocked down 50 percent of their shots from the field (10-for-20), while CUI struggled with just 29.2 percent (7-for-24) of their shots making it through the basket.

CUI's success in the second half was largely due to the mass improvement of takes at the free throw line. The Golden Eagles shot 75 percent (12-for-16) in the second half, finishing 16-for-21 (76.2 percent) in the game. Their defense was also key, forcing turnovers that led to 17 points. Down 10 before the last media timeout, ART U managed to climb back to within three points with 16 seconds left, but the Knights couldn't fully close the gap as the time ran out with its 60-55 final.

Three members of the squad in senior forward Isaiah Williams (11), junior forward Bryce Moore (11), and senior forward Quintin Metcalf (10) led ART U with double-digit scoring performances, while Williams additionally led in rebounds with his seven plus three steals.

Academy of Art will have one more attempt at clinching the third place seed in the Pacific West Conference Tournament, as they'll close out the regular season on the road against Azusa Pacific this Saturday, Mar. 1 with a 3:30 p.m. tip.