SAN FRANCISCO -- Academy of Art men's basketball tipped off 2019 with a firework-like bang by shocking No. 12 Chaminade University 71-69, pulling off the biggest upset in program history. ART U led by as many as 15 points in a game that goes down as not just a major upset, but the biggest win in program history.

The first half of the game contained strong defensively play by both the Urban Knights and the Silverswords putting up multiple blocks in the first four minutes of the game. The Academy of Art defense held Chaminade to just 10 points against ART U's 16 with 11 minutes and 40 seconds left to play in the first half. CUH came back with a brief offensive push that shrank ART U's lead to 16-15 with 10:07 to play.

The Urban Knights' offense came back with an attack of its own and extended their lead to six with a 3-pointer by senior guard Cobe Williams who had his strongest game of the season scoring a season-high 17 points, along with two rebounds and three assists. The Pismo Beach native was deadly from deep, shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
  The Silverswords swayed the game in their favor, taking a 23-21 lead with 6:28 left in the half. With the Knights down two, junior guard Andrija Blatancic stepped up to score 10 of the last 13 ART U points and send the team into the locker room leading 34-30.

Blatancic led the team in scoring and rebounds, posting his second straight double-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. The junior forward leads the team in scoring and rebounds, averaging 15.2 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game.

The Silverswords opened the second half with back-to-back layups to tie the game at 34-34. The game remained close with neither team leading by more than two with 14:53 to play.

Redshirt sophomore guard Dante Williams extended ART U's lead to seven on a layup and made free throw to complete the three-point play. Senior center Cameron Niven came in with a lay-up off a fast break bringing the score to 52-42 in favor of the Knights.

Niven, behind Blatancic and C. Williams, finished the night with 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists. The Advertising major also collected a team-leading three blocks.

With 5:42 remaining, C. Williams hit his final 3-pointer of the night to put ART U up 60-45 to claim their largest lead of the game.

The Urban Knights held steady until back-to-back ART U fouls sent the Silverswords to the line and brought the game within five with just under with 1:35 left. The lead was shortened to four points on a trio of free throws and a layup with 44 seconds. With 11 seconds to play, CUH had possession and an opportunity at stealing the win.

After running the clock down CUH put up a final three as time expired. ART U held their breath, only able to exhale as the shot bounced off the back of the rim and a final triumphant horn resounded through Kezar Pavilion.

ART U had done it. The Knights had pulled off the biggest win in program history over No. 12 Chaminade.

After the shocking upset, Academy of Art improved to 3-8 overall and 3-3 in conference.The Knights hope to continue their two-game win streak when they face UH Hilo at home this Friday, Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m.