BELMONT, Calif. – Back inside Walter Gleason Gym for its first Pacific West Conference matchup with Fresno Pacific this season, Academy of Art University men's basketball outscored the Sunbirds 17-9 in the final six plus minutes, but could not close the gap down the stretch. Five Urban Knights contributed double-digit scoring efforts led by 15 points apiece from senior guards Stefan Milivojevic and Dante Williams while senior forward Josh Hill finished with 13 points and a game-high 17 rebounds for his second double-double of the year. 

Despite a roller coaster first half in which their opponents shot 42 percent from the field, the Urban Knights (1-2, 1-2 PacWest) were able to knock down their last pair of jumpers, including a buzzer beater from Williams. The bucket gave him 11 points for the first half, keeping ART U in the game against a tough defensive Fresno Pacific (1-3, 1-0 PacWest) squad that was led by Aamondae Coleman's 10 points. The Sundbirds tried to keep their foot on the gas, jumping out to a double-digit lead again when the lead grew to 14 with just over six minutes left. 

As they have in each of their first two contests, ART U showed their mettle and climbed back into the game on the strength of their late-game push. Scoring six of ART U's points from in their 17-9 run was Hill, marking the second time this season in double figures, capped off by a free throw that made it a three-point game for the first time since midway in the first half. Unlike their last contest, the comeback could not be completed, with FPU taking their first PacWest win of the season.

Ball movement was big for the Urban Knights, putting up a season-high 14 assists as a team, with six players tallying an assist led by senior guard Joshua Bagley and junior guard Christian Popoola Jr.'s four apiece. Popoola Jr. ended his night with 13 points, putting in a well-rounded evening to go with six rebounds, three steals and a block. Bagley would end the game with 10 points of his own. Meanwhile for Fresno Pacific, Adrian Atunez led all scorers with 16 points while Coleman checked in just behind with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting. 

Both teams will run it back on Saturday from the FPU Special Events Center at 7 p.m.