SAN FRANCISCO – The Urban Knights (4-13, 2-9 PacWest) put together a solid first half against the No. 22 Azusa Pacific Cougars (15-3, 9-1 PacWest) on Saturday, but ultimately fell 85-71.
 
Although APU scored a layup in their opening possession, senior guard Nick Cary quickly responded with a 3-pointer from the back corner that hit nothing but net. After a jumper made by the Cougars, Academy of Art would go ahead on another trey, this time by sophomore guard Jase Harrison that would keep ART U in front for the next four minutes. After leading by as much as four points during that period, APU's Austin Dyer would score on a layup, giving Azusa Pacific the lead for good.
 
For the remainder of the half, the two teams would continue to impress with their offensive efficiency. In fact, neither side would miss a jumper until 11 minutes had expired in the first period.
 
When the buzzer sounded to send both teams to their respective locker rooms, APU held a 41-33 advantage over the Urban Knights. At the break, the Cougars had an impressive 51.2 percent field goal percentage (41.2 percent from beyond the arc), while ART U shot 37.9 percent from the field and an even 50.0 percent from three-point land.
 
In the second half, Azusa Pacific went on a four-minute, 8-0 run including a two-minute period that saw a drought of scoring on both sides of the ball.
 
APU continued to outshoot the Urban Knights for the remainder of the game, amassing a 54.2 percent field goal percentage in the second period. Although Academy of Art improved their shooting percentage in the second half to 40.0 percent, it was not enough to overcome the deficit.
                                        
There were three Urban Knights who finished the contest with double-digit point totals including: Harrison (17 points, 5 rebounds, and a career-high 6 assists), Cary (16 points, seven rebounds, and three steals), and junior guard Chris Salas (15 points, four rebounds). Cary's 16 points were the most he has scored this season and his highest total since November 21, 2014 versus Simon Fraser (19).
 
ART U will have the next three days off before continuing their four-game home stand when second-place Concordia University Irvine (14-3, 7-2 PacWest) comes to town on Wednesday, January 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.