NAMPA, Idaho – Academy of Art men's basketball held the lead for over 25 of the 40 minutes during Saturday night's contest against Concordia (Ore.). However, ART U could not sustain a late offensive-surge from the Cavaliers, falling by the score of 78-71. 
 
In the first half, Concordia took the first four points of the match, but Academy of Art took over from there: after a 9-4 run, the Urban Knights took a 9-8 lead and did not look back for the remainder of the half. ART U was dominant for the remaining 14 minutes of the first period and eventually took an 11-pont lead, their biggest of the game with 50 seconds to play. As the final moments ticked off the clock, the Cavaliers' Taylor Harris knocked down a triple which made it an 8-point game as both sides headed to the locker room.
 
"Tonight, especially in the first half, we were we locked in defensively and got some great looks on offense," said head coach Julius Barnes. "We've shown that we are capable, it's just a matter of taking the next step and learning how to close out games."
 
In the second period, Academy of Art did well to hold onto the lead, keeping their advantage for the majority of the half. However, with under ten minutes to play, the Cavaliers finally regained the lead at the 8:40 mark. The Urban Knights pulled back within two points thanks to a jumper from junior guard Cole Morgan with 7:31 to play. From there, the Cavaliers kept a stranglehold on the lead for the reminder of the match, eventually taking the contest by the score of 78-71.  
 
Three Urban Knights found themselves with double-digit point totals at the end of the contest, including: Morgan (14), junior guard Zuri Williams (11), and senior guard Kendall Brown (11). Morgan was named to the NNU Invitational All-Tournament team after serving as the team's workhorse over the past two games. The Fresno, Calif. native led the team in scoring both days including a 17-point performance against Northwest Nazarene on Friday evening. Overall, Morgan compiled 31 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals throughout the tournament's two matchups.
 
"I'm encouraged by the growth that I've witnessed over the last few weeks," said Barnes. "We'll continue to work hard in practice and focus on the aspects that will help us become the team that we strive to be."
 
With the loss, ART U now drops to 0-4 to begin the season and will take on Saint Martin's on November 24 to open up the CBU Thanksgiving Classic.