SAN DIEGO – Going up against Point Loma for the final of two matchups this season, Academy of Art women's basketball led after one quarter of play, but found themselves working the comeback angle after a second-quarter push from the Sea Lions. Ultimately, PLNU would top ART U once more 62-51 inside Golden Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

The Urban Knights went right to work from the tip-off as senior guard Taloni Reese scored a layup with four seconds of the game's start. ART U followed up the play with a shot made from beyond the arc by senior guard Inga Kot and the momentum stayed on their side. Academy of Art carried its lead into the second quarter up 17-10 and four points from junior guard Brianna Cates kept the Knights' offense flowing.

Upon taking a 23-21 lead with a 3-pointer, the Sea Lions closed the first half on a 10-2 run, going into the locker room up 30-23. That game-changing shift ended up turning into a 23-4 push spanning the second and third quarters. Midway through the third, Point Loma had gone in front 43-25, but an 8-0 ART U response capped by a jumper from junior guard Karleigh Joseph quickly dropped the margin to 10 with a minute left in the quarter.
 
The final frame started with two layups by PLNU, but Cates initiated a 9-0 surge that soon helped Academy of Art get within seven points at the three-minute and 20-second mark.  The teams traded baskets for a brief spell thereafter, but time would run out on a Knights comeback and the Sea Lions won 62-51.

Saturday's result puts Academy of Art at 3-13 overall this season and 2-11 in PacWest matchups. Cates led the offensive attack with 12 points while sophomore forward Lily Perkins added 10 points of her own plus five rebounds. Reese set a season-high with eight points and Joseph put in eight points as well. Junior forward Ines Medina came off the bench to grab a team-high nine rebounds and freshman guard Chanel Stuart made it now two games in a row with four steals.

Point Loma pulls to an even 10-10 on the year and 9-5 in conference play with the victory. Of the three Sea Lions who scored in double figures, it was Cara Liggins' game-high 21 points that paced the squad. Perhaps more impressive, however, were the eight blocks from Grace Brady who added 10 points as well.

To complete ART U's current road swing, a trip to Fresno Pacific comes for the Urban Knights on Wednesday, Jan. 30 with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.