HILO, Hawaii – Academy of Art women's basketball came out on fire and finished strong in what was a resilient 74-64 victory over UH Hilo in Pacific West Conference action. Friday night's game inside Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, which featured breakout performances from sophomore guard Chanel Stuart (season-high 20 points), junior guard Pam Wilmore (19 points, five assists), and junior guard/forward Lily Perkins (18 points, career-high 13 rebounds), served as punctuation to a Hawaii roadtrip that saw the Urban Knights go 2-1.

"This was a gutsy win," said head coach Krystle Evans. "We've discussed 'winning the battle within' the entire time we've been in Hawaii and this win symbolizes the first time we've done that in three weeks. I am very proud of how this team has rallied around each other."

Sparked by a three-point play from freshman forward Aari'yanna Sanders on the team's first possession, an 11-2 run began the contest as senior guard Josselyn Morris knocked down her first three-point attempt and Wilmore later converted her own three-point play. Stuart's second triple of the quarter then started a 7-0 surge that bridged the first and second frames, creating a double-digit advantage that the Urban Knights maintained for much of the remainder of the half.

As the Vulcans began to gain some momentum heading into halftime, Perkins put in a layup with 30 seconds left, capping an opening half in which ART U shot nearly 50 percent from the field and led 36-24. Five UH Hilo points started the third quarter, adding to what became a 13-3 push back that had the score tied 39-39 with just under four minutes left. Academy of Art responded with a 9-2 burst that included another 3-pointer from Stuart and the visitors were back to owning a six-point cushion heading into the fourth.

The teams traded punches thereafter, but the Knights often had the upper hand with another Stuart triple and later a three-point play by Perkins outmatching Vulcan two-point baskets. Free throws determined the game in the final minute and a half and four makes by Perkins plus three from Wilmore helped seal the 74-64 final result.

Departing both Hawaii and the month of January, Academy of Art now sits 7-11 overall and 5-9 in conference play, honing in on the last qualifying spot into the PacWest Conference Tournament. Stuart delivered 20 points all on field goals from long range (5-of-7 night from distance) plus eight rebounds.

"Chanel was due for a big game," said Evans. "Though injuries have gotten the best of her this season, she trusted her body today and got back to doing what she did all of last year. I tell people that she's our Jimmy Butler and today she remembered who she is and made big plays on both sides of the ball. Her eight rebounds saved us just as much as her points."

Wilmore finished with 19 points plus five assists and four rebounds while Perkins went for 19 points with a career-high 13 rebounds as well.

Now tied with ART U at 5-9 in PacWest action, UH Hilo drops to 6-12 on the year. Allie Navarette contributed a game-high 34 points, over half the total for the Vulcans, but it was not enough.

"Coming off this Hawaii stretch, I'm hoping we can continue to mature as a team," said Evans. "We have yet to play our best basketball. We have a couple of days of rest and then we are back in the lab to continue moving forward."

Upon the Urban Knights' return to San Francisco, they are set to host Fresno Pacific on Thursday, Feb. 6 in what will be Campus Safety Knight with local security groups honored throughout the night.