Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Meg Williams & Bob Toy)
ART U Tip-Off Rally (images by Meg Williams)

San Francisco, CA -- As water fell from the sky outside, Academy of Art University was busy making it rain inside Kezar Pavilion Friday evening. ART U routed Alaska Nanooks 91-71 in the Urban Knights' 2012-13 home opener after scoring the most points in a half in program history with 56 in the first period. A 20-5 burst midway through the opening half did the trick as ART U continued its streak of never trailing through three games this season. Senior forward Ariel Dale was one of five Knights to score in double figures, finishing with a game-high 18 points to go with seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals.


“We really talked about setting the tone with our defense in the first half,” head coach LaNay Larson said. “That's where it really starts for us. We struggled a little bit last Saturday and I thought our shot selection was a little off so we were able to [force turnovers] and get transition baskets off of that [tonight]. That really helped us offensively to get into the flow and kind of opened up our outside game as well.”

A pair of layups by senior Katy Wade were the first points of the night, giving Academy of Art the early 4-0 lead in front of a large crowd still buzzing from the Tip-off Rally that had taken place prior to the start. After 'Nooks worked hard on the offensive glass, it was soon 9-9, but a quick 5-0 burst fueled by a 3-pointer from freshman Sha'Nice Storey continued an ART U tempo. From 16-16, freshman Jasmin Guinn provided a spark off the bench and initiated a 10-0 Knights run that featured six points from the Berkeley High School graduate.

Dale steadily had a profound impact off the bench, draining a jumper at 9:47 and then quickly finding Storey for another basket. The Academy of Art advantage grew to 15 points after four more points from Dale and then a 10-3 push by ART U was capped by a triple from freshman Regina Camera as the crowd roared for their Urban Knights.

“I love big crowds and it was great energy,” Dale said. “We had a great support system and when you have everyone there cheering for you, it just makes it harder for the other team to focus and gives us more energy. We want to play for you guys so that's what we're about.”

Up 46-26, ART U stayed firmly in front and finished off its best offensive half in program history with a 56-35 lead. The previous record had been 54 points set against Chaminade in 2009 (a game in which current assistant coach Sondra Stilwell set the program record with 12 assists) A Jordan Rogers 3-pointer started Academy of Art University's second half with a bang and although the Knights' margin dipped below 20 points on a few occasions early, each time it would rise once again.

Rogers converted a three-point play on the first occasion then Camera found Wade for a jumper the second time. A 9-2 ART U run followed in which Rogers and freshman Zoie Sheng teamed up for a barrage of free throws. Up 26 on a Sheng layup, the Urban Knights maintained their lead with everyone getting into the act. Senior Nicol Biesek put in two layups and Camera tossed in two more 3-pointers late in the half to make it a 91-71 final favoring Academy of Art University.

The offense came from several places for ART U Friday night beginning with Dale's game-high 18 points. A versatile athlete who repeatedly flirted with triple-doubles last season has picked up right where she left off, going for seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals in addition to shooting 8-for-14 from the floor.

“Today, it started with our defense and the press seemed to really work,” Dale said. “We've been working on it in practice the past few weeks. Coach gave us direction and we were able to execute. When you have great defense, you automatically have great offense so I just found the open opportunities. Our team was able to move the ball around and executed like we were supposed to.”

Storey was next in line with 15 points off the bench including another trio of 3-pointers in six attempts. Among the starters, Rogers finished with 13 points and six rebounds while Wade had her first double-double of the year (12 points and 10 rebounds) along with three blocks and two steals. The final of four seniors scoring in double figures was Biesek who tallied 11 points and five rebounds. ART U moves to 3-0 on the year thanks in large part to a difference of 28-19 points off turnovers.

“I really feel like this team is balanced and unselfish,” Coach Larson said. “I could have any seven players score in double figures on any given night. We're very deep and very talented; we've got shooters, slashers, and great post presences inside. We don't have anyone who needs to take 20 shots a game. We do a really good job of spreading out the defense and finding the open person.”

The 0-2 Nanooks were paced by 16 points off the bench from Teanna Boxley in addition to her six rebounds and four assists. April Fultz added 14 points off the bench as well while Kelly Logue finished with 10 rebounds and Taylor Altenburg was one rebound shy of a 10-10 double-double.

Academy of Art University returns to Kezar Pavilion this Sunday to host University of Nebraska at Kearney in a 1:00 PM tip-off. A SAAC Canned Food Drive will take place prior to and during the game so be sure to bring your canned items! Sign up for the fan bus here!