HILO, Hawaii -- With a 68-63 triumph, Academy of Art vaulted over UH Hilo in the PacWest standings to keep their playoff hopes alive and well. The crucial win that moved ART U into sixth place saw senior guard Cobe Williams break the all-time career assists record with his 202nd assist in his fourth year as an Urban Knight.

Williams only needed three assists to break the record, but ended with six assists and 10 points. Sophomore guard Stefan Milivojevic scored a team high 21 points, including 16 in the second half. Milivojevic sank four critical free throws in the final 13 seconds of the game to solidify the Knights' victory.

As a team the Urban Knights shot 48.1% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc, and an exceptional 80% from the free throw line.

After trailing early in the first half, senior center Cameron Niven finished a layup to tie the game at 10. ART U took their first lead of the game when junior forward Victor Ruiz de Carranza got to the basket and made a layup.The next play, Carranza hit two free throws, bringing the score to 20-17 with 9:06 in the half. Carranza finished with six points, two assists, and a steal.

Junior forward Andrija Blatancic and Carranza led the team in rebounds with nine apiece, and Blatancic finished with nine points, and an assist.

With 8:08 remaining the Urban Knights took a 25-17 lead over the Vulcans. UHH made a push and came within three with just over six minutes to play in the half. With an assist from senior guard Kiel Long, Milivojevic put up a layup to extend ART U's lead.

ART U fended off the Vulcans late first half push and went into the locker room with a 32-31 advantage.  

The second half was just as close as the first, with the Vulcans quickly taking the lead, but the Knights rallied back on a senior forward Brenden Otero jumper to reclaim it.

A 3-pointer from MIlivojevic put the Knights ahead 41-38, with just under 15 to play. The Knights extended their lead and with just under four minutes to play Blatancic put the Knights up 57-51.

The final minutes of the game came down to the wire with the Vulcans shrinking ART U's lead to three.

A pair of free throws from Milivojevic sealed the fate of the game, and ART U prevailed over the Vulcan's 68-63.

With the win, ART U improves to 8-8 in conference and 8-13 overall. The Urban Knights will continue their island tour with with Hawaii Pacific Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. H.T.