SAN FRANCISCO – Up against a Dominican team that was on fire out of the gate, Academy of Art women's basketball could not recover from an impressive first quarter by the Penguins, ultimately dropping a 116-78 Pacific West Conference decision on Friday evening inside Kezar Pavilion.

A layup by senior guard Inga Kot put the Knights on the scoreboard board first with a layup, but as Dominican began to heat up from long range, a 10-0 run ensued and it was not until a 3-pointer by sophomore forward Lily Perkins that the surge was slowed. The break was only temporary, however, because the Penguins then unleashed a 24-1 push fraught with transition baskets to eventually lead them to a 43-11 margin by the close of the opening quarter.
 
Dominican continue to score with high-percentage shots around the basket through the second quarter while ART U fought back to slow the pace with repeated trips to the free throw line. Freshman guard Chanel Stuart converted a pair of foul shots in the final minute of the half, but the Penguins' lead would expand to 79-27 at the break.

The third quarter saw ART U begin to find a steady rhythm, out-scoring Dominican 23-20. Five quick points via a Perkins fastbreak jumper and another triple from Kot started the frame and it would later end on four made free throws by junior guard Karleigh Joseph and sophomore forward Megan Jefferson, putting the score at 99-50 moving to the fourth. There, the Knights once again out-scored their opponents, 28-17 this time, but the margin was too great and ended with the Penguins triumphing 116-78.

Academy of Art falls to 3-15 overall this season and 2-13 in conference play. Perkins finished with a career-high 27 points plus nine rebounds and five assists while a pair of double-doubles came from players off the bench. Stuart posted 14 points with 12 rebounds and Joseph contributed 14 points with 10 rebounds. Kot added 12 points as well.

Dominican's record moves to 16-3 on the year and 13-2 in PacWest action. Alanna Scott's 28 points combined with 23 points from Natalie Diaz to lead the way for the Penguins. Vanessa Cruz put up a double-double with 11 points and 13 assists.

Hawaii now sits on the horizon for ART U as the Knights will soon spend a week on the islands to face UH Hilo (Feb. 8), Hawaii Pacific (Feb. 10), and Chaminade (Feb. 12).