BELMONT, Calif. -- In their respective final collegiate games, five Academy of Art University women's basketball seniors led the way, combining for a big second half en route to a 72-69 win over Concordia inside Notre Dame de Namur's Walter Gleason Gym on Saturday afternoon. The Urban Knights outscored the Eagles 41-25 in the third and fourth quarters, propelled by an encouraging Senior Day crowd composed of many friends and family.

Although ART U established an 11-6 lead on a triple by sophomore forward Ines Medina midway through the first quarter, that was the only time in the first 10 minutes that either team had more than a three-point margin. Senior forward Helena Orts scored the final seven points for Academy of Art in that quarter as CUI held only a 24-21 advantage moving to the second.

There, long-range success and free throws by the Eagles helped them go on a 15-4 run to end the first half up 44-31. That difference remained in double digits for most of the third quarter, but the Knights began to mount their comeback with an 8-2 push all on layups in the last four minutes.

"At halftime, we came in and told them that they were playing a great game already, but to limit the fouls and take better care of the ball," said assistant coach Jasmin Guinn. "The main part was just focusing on their decision-making. We knew the three-ball wasn't falling our way at times so we really wanted to attack the basket and get points in the paint."

A 3-pointer by Medina opened the fourth, cutting the margin to just five points, 59-54, and soon another 8-0 run ensued on two layups by Orts and two by redshirt senior guard Jazzlynn Brewster. Now within two points still with three minutes and 41 seconds left, Academy of Art channeled its crowd, getting the energy for the final 8-0 surge that won them the game.

Redshirt senior forward Pre'Franz Dominick first answered a Concordia 3-pointer with a triple of her own, Orts then got a layup to tie the game 69-69, and, after Dominick got a clutch steal she soon converted an easy basket on Brewster's fourth consecutive assisted score. The Eagles missed two more long-range shots in the final 45 seconds and a Brewster free throw eventually accounted for the 72-69 triumph.

Solidified as the fourth-seed in the PacWest Tournament, Concordia wraps up the regular season 16-10 overall and 13-7 in conference play. Although eight Eagles scored in the contest, it was Michaela Vanderklugt who paced them all with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Academy of Art finishes its 2017-18 season 11th in the PacWest standings at 7-21 overall and 6-14 in conference. Orts finished with a team-high 24 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the year and Brewster posted nine points plus 12 assists to solidify herself with the program's second-most assists in a single season (158), just two behind record-holder Zoie Sheng. Dominick, the new ART U single-season rebound record-holder this year, added 11 points plus four steals and three rebounds to give her 332 boards on the season. Medina offered 17 points including three 3-pointers.

"The senior class did a phenomenal job down the stretch with sheer effort," said Guinn. "I thought we maintained our composure very well and fed off of each other's energy. Each player contributed significantly. We'd talked about being resilient throughout the season and I'm so proud of the strength they exhibited. They played half a season with six players and to come out the way that they did today really exemplified what this program represents in the pride they showed for themselves, the program and the university. The seniors really are the heart of this team so it was nice to see them enjoy the game today and also to see others step up and want to win for them."