SAN FRANCISCO – Although Academy of Art University women's basketball trailed Chaminade at halftime, Tuesday night's PacWest Conference matchup at City College of San Francisco had a happy ending for ART U. The Urban Knights outscored the Silverswords by 19 points in the second half to win going away 71-58. It was the tandem of junior guard
Rodericka Ware and junior forward
Helena Orts who accounted for 28 of their team's 43 points in the third and fourth quarters, ending with 23 and 19 points respectively.
Junior guard
Jazzlynn Brewster scored five of her team's points during a 7-0 run to start the game and later the lead grew to nine, 17-8, on Orts' jumper off the assist by Ware. Chaminade used a 7-0 surge of their own to cut into the margin before senior forward
Priscilla Mora scored a layup in the final seconds of the first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to the Swords. A 19-9 advantage in the period enabled Chaminade to take a 34-28 lead at halftime and though that advantage became nine midway through the third quarter, Academy of Art started its 14-2 run to come all the way back and take a 52-47 lead in the opening minute of the fourth. Orts scored six points during the momentum change including the final two baskets to open the final quarter.
Ware made timely shots while senior guard
Alana Simon converted at the foul line and soon 11 unanswered points put ART U in front by double digits with just under four minutes to play. The Knights maintained that margin the rest of the way and finished on top 71-58.
Returning to its winning ways, Academy of Art is now 9-5 overall and 5-1 in PacWest action, up to fourth in the conference standings. Ware delivered 23 points plus six rebounds, five assists, and four steals in 36 minutes on the court. Orts added her seventh double-double of the year with 19 points plus a season-high 15 rebounds. Brewster also scored in double figures with 11 points.
Chaminade falls to 1-12 overall and 1-8 in conference play despite having three double-digit scorers. Courtney Kaupu led the way with 13 points.
The Urban Knights now head down to Southern California this weekend where they will face Azusa Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 14 and No. 11 California Baptist on Monday, Jan. 16.
