BELMONT, Calif. – Academy of Art women's basketball locked down Cal State Monterey Bay defensively immediately into the Urban Knights' 2021-22 season opener and they never looked back, using transition offense to gain as much as a 30-point lead in the fourth quarter en route to a 70-42 victory. Seven of nine ART U players recorded a steal in the contest, led by breakout debuts from graduate student guard Joy Krupa and freshman forward/center Alisha Wilson.

"Our effort on the defensive end was tremendous," said Head Coach Krystle Evans. "Every person made a big play defensively. We did a better job capitalizing off our defense today."

From a 2-2 tie, Academy of Art proceeded to execute a 10-2 run that featured three baskets from Krupa and that margin quickly grew to double figures with a fastbreak layup from freshman guard Brooke Rodgers capping the 7-0 push to go up 19-6.

Freshman guard Alyssa Munn's 3-pointer closed an impressive 22-7 opening quarter and that momentum carried into the second where a 20-point lead was gained on consecutive buckets by Krupa and Rodgers before another from freshman forward/center Christy Ojide and a Rodgers free throw wrapped up a 35-15 halftime score.

Wilson converted a three-point play to start the third quarter and, despite a 6-0 response from the Otters, seven unanswered points by the Knights immediately followed with junior guard Chanel Stuart scoring a layup on freshman guard Milan Tuttle's pass for a 24-point lead. Ojide free throws and a transition layup connecting Munn to Rodgers sent ART U into the fourth ahead 56-28.

Determined offense led by Krupa and Wilson continued to build the margin before redshirt freshman guard Kaila Murrell nailed a triple, knocked down a free throw, and the lead had grown to 30 points. When all was said and done, Academy of Art had secured a dominant 70-42 win.

The Urban Knights begin their 2021-22 campaign 1-0 after registering 19 fastbreak points as well as 22 points off a total of 26 Otter turnovers. A truly impressive ART U debut came in the form of Krupa's 18 points (9-of-11 shooting from the field), seven rebounds, four blocks, four steals, and three assists. In 20 minutes off the bench for her collegiate debut, Wilson collected nine points and 13 rebounds while Rodgers added nine points as well. Yet another memorable first game with the squad came from Ojide who posted eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks. The team's collective 10 blocks were tied for the fourth-most in program history.

"Tenacious defense is part of our identity," Evans said. "Everyone on the team has committed to getting deflections, forcing teams out of their primary sets, and rebounding."

Opening its season 0-1, Cal State Monterey Bay was led by Lauryn Pointer's 14 points along with Sarah Shaw's 11-point, 11-rebound double-double. The Otters were held to seven and eight points respectively in the first and second quarters.

Academy of Art will return to Walter Gleason Gym this Monday, Nov. 15 for a noon matchup with Simon Fraser.

"We look to carry this momentum over to Monday against Simon Fraser," Evans said. "Attention to detail on the defensive end while converting in transition will be key."