SAN FRANCISCO – Making its Pacific West Conference home debut inside Kezar Pavilion on Sunday afternoon, Academy of Art women's basketball and Chaminade were deadlocked with six minutes left, but a burst by the Silverswords sealed the deal 75-68. Three Urban Knights scored in double figures led by senior guard Brianna Cates.

Junior forward Megan Jefferson put the first points on the board for ART U with a layup and, following a brief run by CUH, the teams proceeded to exchange leads. Though a layup by freshman forward Aari'yanna Sanders put the Knights ahead 15-13, Chaminade scored the final five points of the opening quarter to go up 18-15.

Three-point shooting was key for Academy of Art early in the second quarter as senior guard Josselyn Morris and senior guard/forward Ines Medina both connected from deep to keep the home team close. The second basket sparked a 9-2 run that culminated with a Cates three-point play for ART U. Another Morris triple came with just over a minute left, but the Swords converted on consecutive possessions and entered halftime on top 33-32.

The game remained a back-and-forth slugfest with Chaminade holding the lead until a jumper by junior guard Pam Wilmore and four straight from Cates got ART U a 44-43 advantage midway through the third. Knotted at 52-52 after Morris broke free for a layup off a Sanders steal, the contest titled slightly toward the visitors once more at the end of the half which concluded with the Silverswords leading 56-52.

It was an exciting start to the fourth with graduate student guard Tayler Bennett knocking down a 3-pointer and Cates adding a layup to put the Knights up by one as the drama began to mount. After a Chaminade free throw tied things at 61-61 with six minutes left, six straight by the Swords proved to be the decisive momentum shift. Bennett's layup brought ART U within four at the 2:40 mark, but solid free throw shooting ensured the Swords a 75-68 victory.

Two games into its PacWest slate, Academy of Art is now 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Leading the Urban Knights was Cates' 17 points (9-of-10 at the free throw line) while the pair of Wilmore and Bennett each added 10 points apiece. Jefferson's 13 rebounds tied her career-high and she was one of three other players to score eight points as well.

Chaminade emerges from Sunday's contest 1-6 overall and 1-1 against PacWest opponents. Destiny Castro posted a rare double-double with 34 points (11-of-13 at the foul line) and 10 steals plus three rebounds and three assists.

ART U will now travel north for matchups with Central Washington (7 p.m., Dec. 17) and Seattle Pacific (2 p.m., Dec. 19).