FRESNO, Calif. – After leading by as much as 12 points in the first half, Academy of Art managed to withstand a back-and-forth second period. ART U eventually defeated the offensively-stout Fresno Pacific Sunbirds 58-57 after knocking down a layup with 2.9 seconds to play.
 
The Urban Knights' defense was lights out to begin the opening half: ART U did not allow the Sunbirds to score a field goal for nearly ten minutes, forcing FPU to go 0-for-12 while forcing five turnovers. Meanwhile, Academy of Art took an early, 2-1 lead after a Sunbirds free throw with 18:04 to play and they did not look back. The Urban Knights took their biggest lead of the half (12 points) when junior center Cameron Niven made a layup at the 4:36 mark. The score also capped a 7-0 ART U run which was highlighted by a big 3-pointer from junior guard Kiel Long with 5:15 remaining. However, FPU's offense made a run of their own in the closing minutes, reducing their deficit to just two points, giving the Knights a 29-27 lead at the half.
 
While the opening period may have lacked offensive intensity, the second certainly was not left wanting in that regard, featuring 10 lead changes. It all started with Fresno Pacific taking their second lead of the contest when they made the first basket of the second half, taking a 1-point lead. However, senior guard Kendall Brown responded with a layup at the 18:46 mark to help his team recapture lead. Nonetheless, FPU went ahead in their next possession, and this time held on until the scoreboard read just over 15 minutes. It was Brown once again with the layup only this time, he drew a foul in the process and completed the 3-point play to give the Urban Knights a 3-point, 39-36 lead.
 
The lead continued to change hands over the next eight minutes until 6:45 remained when it was all tied up at 46 points apiece. Fresno Pacific took the lead in their next possession when Aamondae Coleman scored a layup from underneath basket, but Niven knotted the score 23 seconds later when he pulled up for a jumper in the paint to make it 48-all.
 
After a slight scoring drought for both sides, the score stood at 52-52 with under two minutes to play. That changed however, when junior guard Zuri Williams knocked down a big triple in what appeared to be a turning point in the contest. However, the Sunbirds responded just moments later with a 3-pointer of their own.
 
The score remained tied at 55 points apiece with 41.7 seconds remaining when ART U took a timeout with possession of the ball. After drawing up a play, Z. Williams received the ball underneath the basket, but could not get his layup to fall, giving the ball back to FPU with 15 seconds remaining.
 
After taking a timeout of their own, the Sunbirds drew a foul which sent Toby Christensen to the line where he made both free throws. Brown sprinted down the court for a layup with four seconds on the clock, but also received a foul in the process. Trailing by two points, the Corona, Calif. native made his first free throw attempt, but missed the second. The ball rattled around as both sides desperately looked to come up with the rebound, but eventually went out of bounds in favor of Academy of Art. Now, trailing by one point with 3.5 seconds on the clock, junior guard Cobe Williams inbounded from under the basket to Brown who managed to knock down a contested and off-balance layup which gave ART U a 1-point 58-57 lead with only 2.9 seconds to play. FPU heaved a near full-court desperation shot, but the ball bounced off of the front iron, giving the Urban Knights their third PacWest victory in thrilling fashion.
 
As a team, Academy of Art's defense played arguably their best game this season, holding Fresno Pacific's PacWest-leading offense to just a 36.5 field goal percentage while forcing 16 turnovers. Individually, Niven led all scorers with a career-high, 18 points (9-for-10) while adding seven rebounds. Two other Urban Knights scored in double-digit figures including: Z. Williams (11 points, three rebounds) and Brown (10 points, six rebounds, three assists). ART U has now won three of their last four contests and improves their record to 4-8 overall and an even, 3-3 in conference.
 
"Our defense has been one the things that we've been very consistent with," said head coach Julius Barnes. "The guys have really bought in and are defending for one another. Our defense has played a crucial role in winning three out of our last four games."
 
The Urban Knights will now head to Hawaii where they will face two of top teams in the PacWest: Hawaii Pacific on January 3 and UH Hilo on January 5.
 
"Our recent success and getting the win tonight has given us great confidence," said Barnes. "As we continue to progress throughout the schedule, that will do wonders for us, but now we turn our focus towards Hawaii Pacific. As long as we continue to defend and rebound, we will give ourselves the opportunity to be successful."