Box Score
Photo Gallery (images by Hailey Archambault, Rob Garcia, Meghan Bushnell, Evan Aczon, & Rich Luna)

San Francisco, CA -- After its defense enabled a 15-2 run in the first half, Academy of Art University Women's Basketball pushed the issue further in the second en route to a 78-45 thumping of Chaminade. With the world watching the first home webcast in program history put on by ART U's own Multimedia Communications Department, freshman Regina Camera posted a team-high 14 points to lead five total Urban Knights scoring in double figures Saturday afternoon inside Kezar Pavilion.

“This was a really important game especially being at home,” head coach LaNay Larson said. “The last two games were heart-breakers and I said the way we bounce back from those games will determine how the rest of the season ends up. So it was important for us to come out and be aggressive, control the things we can control, and it's not always going to be shooting. Tonight was another tough shooting night, but with our defense, we were able to work through that.”

Although Chaminade managed the first points of the game, it was an 8-0 ART U run that followed. Camera and senior Jordan Rogers took turns converting on the fast break after a bucket by junior Alisa Griggs and it seemed as though the Knights had returned. However, a 3-pointer from CUH sparked a 10-run by the visitors and soon things were tied 12-12 midway through.

From that moment on, however, Academy of Art took charge and never looked back with its defense-into-offense mentality. It began with freshman Zoie Sheng finding senior Ariel Dale for a layup inside and was fueled by triple from Camera, fast-break layup by freshman Jasmin Guinn, and another 3-pointer from freshman Sha'Nice Storey. Up by 13 after a Dale to Griggs connection again in transition, Chaminade came back with a long ball, but then it was time for the Knights' 10-0 burst.

“We've talked about how our defense keys us and about stepping up the pressure to really get after it,” Coach Larson said. “We were forcing some turnovers [in that first half] and we got some easy baskets off that so it really got us started offensively.”

Dale and Camera each scored on quick ball movement via steals then senior Nicol Biesek got in on the offense and Sheng, who handed out five of her six assists in the opening half, nailed a 3-pointer in the final minute. At the half, Academy of Art was firmly in command 37-20.

The margin only grew in the second half as five ART U layups in the first four minutes helped push it to a 22-point difference. Once the lead went past 20, it never fell below and continued to increase. A 10-2 push midway through the second came on more layups adding to the 52 points in the paint the Knights would score overall.

Rogers kept her team firmly ahead by getting to the foul line and converting then Storey and Sheng had a nice connection on another transition layup at 6:09. The ART U advantage rose to 30 (68-38) on a jumper by Biesek then the senior found Juliua Fraser for a basket inside and the final score, 78-45, would go on to reflect utter dominance by Academy of Art.

“I think it was good for us to gain our confidence back and work on things we haven't done well the past couple games,” Camera said. “We're still not at our full power right now and we can still improve a lot more, but it felt good to come out with a win at home especially.”

Improving to 13-5 overall and 6-2 in PacWest play while maintaining a perfect record against Chaminade (9-0), the Urban Knights had several solid performances Saturday afternoon. Camera finished with 14 points and six rebounds while Rogers added 12 points, eight rebounds, and tied her career-high set earlier this season with five steals.

Griggs also had 12 points to go with seven rebounds and three steals. Dale finished with 11 points, six steals, and five rebounds then Storey rounded out the double digit scorers with 10 points. Sheng offered six assists making it three times in the past four games she has dealt out six or more. Guinn grabbed 10 rebounds in just 23 minutes off the bench.

The Silverswords are now 1-14 overall and 1-9 in PacWest action. Dianna Zane offered a team-high 13 points, but the majority came at the foul line where she went 7-of-8. Kennedi Akana offered 10 points and eight rebounds.

ART U heads out on its Southern California roadtrip next week with Point Loma (Jan. 30), Azusa Pacific (Feb. 2), and California Baptist (Feb. 4) on the horizon.

“For some reason, it feels like we shoot better on the road so I can't wait to see how we shoot when we head down south,” Camera said. “Right now, I think we're playing well offensively besides our shooting. Shooting is streaky and I think it will come.”