Game #10
ART U Urban Knights (7-2) vs. Western Oregon Wolves (4-4*)
Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM
San Francisco, CA – Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats | Live Audio

URBAN KNIGHTS PUT UNDEFEATED HOME RECORD ON LINE
One of the top teams in the Pacific West Conference thus far, Academy of Art University comes off an inspired victory over Holy Names in which the Urban Knights set a new program steals record to go 3-0 at home in 2012-13. ART U now steps away from PacWest play for the remainder of this month, beginning with Western Oregon this Thursday.

OPENING TIP
Academy of Art University's lone non-conference game this week takes place at Kezar Pavilion as ART U hosts Western Oregon on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 12:00 PM. Live Stats and Live Audio will be available. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights on Twitter and "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
With the highest scoring average in the PacWest (77.2 points per game), ART U cemented its #1 status as the conference steals leader (14.8 spg) with its historic effort this past week. As a team, Academy of Art holds the top marks in turnover margin (+11.78), assist-to-turnover ratio (0.9), offensive rebounds (19.4 rpg), and are third in blocks (4.7 bpg). Now with four Urban Knights averaging double figures in scoring and two not far behind, offensive balance continues to be the hallmark of ART U in 2012-13. Senior Ariel Dale, third in the PacWest leader in steals at 2.8 spg, offers a 14.0 ppg scoring average good for eighth in the conference. Senior Jordan Rogers, who made her third appearance on the PacWest Weekly Fantastic 15 this week, is right behind Dale at 13.8 ppg and sports the third highest free throw percentage in the conference at 82.1 percent. Freshman Sha'Nice Storey and senior Katy Wade each sit at 10.2 ppg with Storey serving as one of the top long-range shooters on the team and Wade's 9.8 rebounds per game at fourth in the PacWest. Wade needs just four more blocks to set a new ART U single-season record in that category. Junior Alisa Griggs broke out for a team-high 21 points in 19 minutes this past Saturday in the win over Holy Names.

ADORNED IN THE USA (WEEK 4)
For the fourth consecutive week, Academy of Art University maintained its place among the nation's top women's basketball teams recognized in the release of the Week 4 USA TODAY Sports Division II Top 25 women's basketball poll as determined by the USA Sports board of coaches, 33 members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The Urban Knights have now defeated two opponents from the CCAA, two from the GNAC, one from the MIAA, and two from their own PacWest Conference to make them 4-of-4 in appearances on this distinguished poll.

WOLVES ON THE HUNT
At 4-4 on the season, Western Oregon has had a rollercoaster of a season already in 2012-13. The Wolves opened with a 73-61 victory over the PacWest's Hawaii Pacific on Nov. 9 as part of the WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout. However, they were then topped by Cal Baptist 69-60 the next day. WOU remained at home for two more games which included a 65-61 loss to Hawaii Pacific and a 74-62 win hosting Pacific Lutheran. Up against Willamette and Corban in the Capital City Classic (Nov. 23-24), Western Oregon swept a pair, defeating the Bearcats 71-53 and the Warriors 75-66. Still searching for their first GNAC victory, the Wolves started conference play with a 77-54 loss to Western Washington and an 80-38 defeat at the hands of Simon Fraser. It is a triple threat of WOU players who lead in the scoring column. Mariah Durian (12.8 ppg), Dana Goularte (12.8 ppg), and Lorrie Clifford (12.3 ppg) are all averaging double figures in points per game with Durian and Clifford both dangerous from beyond the arc. Whitney Rodriguez holds a team-leading 9.3 rebounds per game average. Last season, ART U rallied back with a critical three-point play by Rogers to defeat Western Oregon as part of Dixie State's Thanksgiving Classic.

*Note: Western Oregon plays Cal Maritime on Dec. 12

ART U DEFENSE REACHES HISTORIC LEVELS IN WIN
Known for its defense all season, Academy of Art University women's basketball did something no ART U team has ever done before this past Saturday. The Urban Knights demolished the previous program steals record en route to a 94-89 victory over Holy Names in a PacWest matchup touted as the Game of the Week inside Kezar Pavilion. ART U had four players register at least four steals apiece for the new record of 27. Griggs led the way with an efficient 21 points and five rebounds.

LOOKING AHEAD
On the road for the remainder of December, the Urban Knights next partake in the Las Vegas Challenge where they will meet Pittsburgh State (Dec. 18) and Central Missouri (Dec. 19) who have collectively won 12 games and lost just three.