Five of the Knights' first nine points came from the foul line in what was a close one early, but after a four-minute scoring drought on both sides, CSUMB forged a four-point lead at 13-9. The squads struggled from the field for much of the opening period and it was not until the final six minutes that baskets started to fall.

Junior Regina Camera found fellow junior Jasmin Guinn for a 3-pointer to put ART U up by four, 21-17, and Guinn's coast-to-coast layup soon made it a six-point advantage. A quick 7-1 run by the Otters tied it 26-26, but Academy of Art closed the half up five (31-26) after junior Zoie Sheng hit junior Krystal Forthan for a jumper then set up junior Sha'Nice Storey for the outside buzzer-beating triple.

The second half began with back-to-back baskets from Forthan and Sheng, helping the Knights increase their advantage to 11. What eventually turned into a 24-10 ART U run across the halves put Academy of Art up 50-36 midway through the second period. A 3-pointer by Nikki Beckman brought CSUMB to within seven with 8:08 left, but that was the closest they came as a three-point play by senior Molly O'Brien shifted the momentum back.

"We talked at half about being more confident offensively, getting more transition baskets, and being more aggressive," head coach LaNay Larson said.

That play was part of a 15-2 Knights surge capped by Storey's third 3-pointer of the contest. In the end, both benches emptied and Academy of Art finished off the 73-56 victory on a jumper by junior Aleigh Krug.

Now 1-0 on the season, Academy of Art was led by Forthan's 21 points and 11 rebounds for her 17th consecutive double-double. She added three steals, two blocks, and a pair of assists. Sheng contributed 14 points on a perfect 8-of-8 afternoon from the foul line and six rebounds. Storey nailed three of six 3-pointers for 11 points and now 99 triples in her career. As a team, the Knights outrebounded the Otters 53-40 which led to a 12-6 margin in second-chance points.

"I thought we did a pretty good job on the boards," Coach Larson said. "We did a better job of using our athleticism on the offensive rebounds and box outs are improving each time we play."

Guinn finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals while Brown grabbed 10 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. Camera led the team with five assists and seven points as well.
 
The Urban Knights are back to Belmont tomorrow afternoon for a 12:00 PM tipoff against Simon Fraser to wrap up this opening weekend.

"Simon Fraser is a great team and to give ourselves a chance we need to play hard, disciplined, and together," Coach Larson said.