SAN FRANCISCO – Hosting UH Hilo in what was a critical Pacific West Conference game for Academy of Art University women's basketball, the Urban Knights got the extra possessions they needed with a rebounding exhibition in their 71-62 victory inside City College of San Francisco on Thursday. Of the eight ART U players who logged minutes, every one recorded at least two rebounds (junior guard
Rodericka Ware and junior forward
Helena Orts each posted double-doubles), contributing to a 51-36 margin in the end.
The Knights' largest lead of the first quarter came at the end when an 8-0 run was capped by three straight baskets from senior guard
Alana Simon. Up 18-12, ART U briefly grew the margin to double digits early in the second, but the Vulcans shortened the gap to three points on a triple from Kim Schmelz. From there, Academy of Art finished the half on a 13-3 run thanks in large part to stellar work rebounding the basketball. Down the stretch in the second, Simon nailed back-to-back 3-pointers for what became a 14-point lead, 36-22, at the half.
A triple by Ware less than 40 seconds into the third pushed the lead to 16, but in the blink of an eye it was six. UH Hilo continued to put up shots from long range and they fell in the 11-2 surge that followed. An 8-0 response by ART U featured a pair of baskets by senior forward
Priscilla Mora and soon the run became 17-2 on freshman guard
Karleigh Joseph's jumper in the paint.
One final burst had been left in the UH Hilo tank as a 15-4 beginning to the fourth brought the Vulcans back to within six, 61-55. Schmelz had 10 straight points during a stretch where Hilo repeatedly cut its deficit to six, but the Knights pushed back on each occasion. Converting five of their final six free throws, Academy of Art sealed the 71-62 win in the end.
The Urban Knights improve to 16-11 overall and are 12-7 in the PacWest with hopes of securing the final spot in the conference tournament this weekend. Ware finished with her second double-digit rebound game of the year, putting up 21 points with 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Simon added 19 points and Orts' 13th double-double of the season saw her score 15 points and grab 14 rebounds.
Already out of postseason contention, UH Hilo falls to 8-14 overall and 8-11 in conference. The Vulcans' highlights were a game-high 29 points from Scmelz and a double-double for Asia Smith with 15 rebounds plus 11 points.
Academy of Art finishes its 2016-17 regular season this Saturday, Feb. 25 with a rematch now hosting Azusa Pacific at 1 p.m. inside SF State's Main Gymnasium. A victory over the Cougars or a Dominican loss to UH Hilo that day will ensure the Knights make the PacWest Tournament. Prior to tipoff, ART U will celebrate seniors
Desiree Harris,
Priscilla Mora,
Alana Simon, and
D'Andree Galipeau.
