SAN FRANCISCO – In a rematch of Pacific West Conference rivals, Thursday's contest between Academy of Art and Dominican was close much of the way. It was not until a 16-7 run by the Penguins finished the game that the momentum finally shifted and the visitors to Kezar Pavilion came away with the 79-69 victory. Junior guard Rodericka Ware posted a game-high 32 points, but it was not enough as Dominican outscored the Urban Knights in three of four quarters.

Though the Penguins steadily built a seven-point lead, 13-6, in the opening quarter, Ware's first 3-pointer plus free throws by junior guard Jazzlynn Brewster helped shorten the gap in the final two and a half minutes.

Ware continued to score as ART U gained a one-point advantage on multiple occasions early in the second. However, a 10-2 push keyed by five different Dominican players reestablished a margin. Senior guard Alana Simon heated up in the final minute and a half, netting six points including a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to cut the Penguins' lead down to 34-31 at halftime.

After Ware converted a three-point play to start the third quarter, junior forward Helena Orts scored back-to-back buckets to give her team the lead once more. Dominican fought back, but no more than four points separated the teams at any moment in the third.

Up 55-53 heading to the fourth, the Penguins faced a one-point deficit, 56-55, when Simon opened the period with a triple yet they did not trail thereafter as a timely 3-pointer by Carly Holboke helped their cause and the aforementioned 16-7 run was executed. ART U found itself within two at the 5:39 mark, but ended up taking the double-digit loss, 79-69, in the end.

The Knights' third conference defeat puts them at now 6-3 in PacWest play and 10-7 overall. Ware had 32 points, her second-highest scoring output of the year, on 11-for-29 shooting from the field including four 3-pointers plus five steals. A total of 13 points and 11 rebounds made up Orts' ninth double-double of the year and the sixth in her past eight games while Simon added 14 points and a season-high nine rebounds.

Dominican improves to 6-5 in conference and 10-8 on the year. Three Penguins finished with double-doubles led by Natalie Diaz's 20 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor Donnot had 19 points with 11 rebounds and Sandra Ikeora put up 17 points with 14 rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench.

Academy of Art continues its homestand this Sunday, Jan. 22 with Notre Dame de Namur in town for a 1 p.m. tipoff.