Box Score

San Francisco, CA --- The Urban Knight women's basketball team used the immense energy permeating through Kezar Pavilion tonight to send shockwaves through the Pacific West Conference as they nearly pulled off an upset over first place Hawai'I Pacific University. Unfortunately, in front of their biggest crowd to date the Urban Knights dropped a heartbreaking overtime loss, 65-67, to the Sea Warriors. Ashley Lucian erupted for ART U, registering 11 of her game-high 18 points in the first half off the bench. The loss marks ART U's fifth in conference, they also fall to 5-12 on the season. The Sea Warriors, however, remain undefeated in conference and improve to 13-3 overall.

"If there is one thing this team has it is fight and I am so proud of them for the fight they had in them tonight," said Head Coach Lindsey Yamasaki. "It is important that they remember that their hard work has gotten us to where we are now-which is competing and almost beating the defending PacWest champ and current first seed." Yamasaki added, "What stings is that we know we could and should have pulled it out, but if anything we sent a message to the conference that we are getting better and hungry for a big win."

The Urban Knights showed no fear as they battled the same team that beat them by 13 points less than one month ago. ART U used a 43.5% shooting percentage coupled with a 57% three-point percentage in the first half to control a majority of the first. Although the half was close in terms of points it was apparent to those in the stands that the tempo rest in ART U's hands.

The Urban Knights opened up a six point lead, the largest of the entire contest, on the Sea Warriors midway through the first half and then again with three minutes remaining until intermission. ART U entered the locker room up 32-30. The first 20 minutes saw five ties and the Urban Knight defense create 11 turnovers. ART U's defense has been a pain many teams' sides this season, and in the second round of play they have caused some major problems for their opponents.

“I like our zone when our girls commit to it,” Said Yamasaki. “The team really worked hard tonight, there is a lot of movement and changing assignments in our style zone, which is risky, but now we are really starting to get it and we fluster teams,” Yamasaki added.

With the crowd behind them the Urban Knights continued to control the pace of the game as the second half got under way. The Sea Warriors took their first lead since midway through the first half two minutes into the second. But, the Urban Knights answered right back with two Jessica Nolan lay-ups and a Nicole DeRosier 3-pointer which brought their lead back up to five points. The next 17 minutes were as tight as any contest could be. The Urban Knights rallied to regain control after the Sea Warriors tied the game for the sixth time with 12:46 remaining in the game. ART U maintained a tight lead over Hawaii Pacific until the 50 second mark when two HPU free-throws tied the game for the seventh time. The Urban Knights dodged a bullet down the stretch after an ART U turnover led to a foul on the other end. The Sea Warriors luckily missed both free-throws and the game was sent to overtime. The game was tied 57-57 at the end of regulation.

The difference in the second half was free-throws. Despite holding the Sea Warriors to a mere 27% shooting the Hawaii Pacific women got to the line a total of 14 times, and connected on 11 of their 14 attempts. The Urban Knights on the other hand didn't get to the free-throw line once in the second half.

It looked promising for the Urban Knights at the start of the overtime period. Lucian stole the ball then hit a crowd erupting lay-up to put ART U up by two points, 59-57.  The Urban Knight defense had many opportunities to send the Sea Warriors home with their first loss in conference, but could not convert the Sea Warrior turnovers into offensive points and dropped the contest 65-67.

For HPU leading scorer Mana Hopkins led with a team high 17 points. Paris Gravely was right behind her with 16 points, and Courtney Buster recorded a game high 12 rebounds and finished with nine points.

The Urban Knights caused 22 HPU turnovers in the game which is quite a feat as the Sea Warriors on the season average 19 turnovers a game. Ashley Lucian led all players with a game high 18 points coming off the bench for the Urban Knights. Lucian was 7-of-12 from the field and 4-of-9 from three point territory. Nicole DeRosier added 13 points in the loss, while Verity Peets chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds. Jessica Nolan had a solid night for ART U finishing with nine points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

The Urban Knights will conclude their five-game homestand against Dominican University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM at Kezar Pavilion.