HONOLULU – Twice trailing by just five points late in a Pacific West Conference rematch with Chaminade, including the last occurrence coming with just over a minute left, Academy of Art men's basketball was unable to complete a comeback attempt as CUH split the season series with an 84-78 victory on Monday. 
 
Unlike the first meeting between the two teams in which the Urban Knights (10-7, 6-3 PacWest) raced out to an early lead en route to scoring 100 points for just the third time in program history, this time it was the Silverswords (7-8, 5-4 PacWest) who established early control with an 8-2 run to open play. Just as quickly as the lead was built, it would disappear thanks to a 3-pointer from graduate student guard Denny Slay combined with a dunk from sophomore forward Cheickna Sissoko. 
 
After a couple of more buckets each, the momentum in the contest seemed to turn when the Knights collected two steals off of inbounds passes that turned into points. The first came from Slay, leading to a layup from graduate student guard Joshua Bagley, while Bagley was the beneficiary once again after a swipe from junior guard Klay Brown, who had entered the contest as the PacWest leader in steals. 
 
Unfortunately for the Knights, that momentum did not give them the cushion that they had hoped, but rather it was the Swords who would go on to build an eight-point lead, their largest of the half. But just as it was for the Knights, the Silverswords' lead would be erased nearly instantly thanks to a key five points from Bagley, including a three-ball with about three minutes left. The seesaw game would continue into the half, though Chaminade did close the first frame on a 5-0 run for a 40-37 lead at the break.
 
The shooting hand of the Silverswords proved too much to keep up with in the second half, as the Knights hit on just 36.8 percent (14-for-38) in the final period while Chaminade hovered over 46.7 percent (50.8 percent for the contest; 30-for-59). While ART U had the chance to stay close as the second frame began, the small deficit would balloon as the game drew to a close, with Chaminade avenging their earlier loss to ART U almost exactly a month ago. 
 
Not even five players scoring in double figures could put ART U in the win column, as the 16 points from Bagley led the way while just behind him with 13 points was graduate student guard Deang Deang, who also chipped in five rebounds and three steals. Rounding out the group was sophomore guard Latrell Williams with 12 points and a (tie for) team-high in rebounds, pulling down six to go with a pair of steals. Meanwhile, Brown and Slay ended their nights with 11 points apiece, with Slay also totaling a team-high in assists with five, his fourth time this campaign totaling at least five assists.  
 
Having concluded their three-game road trip to Hawaii, the Knights will return home to face Fresno Pacific for the first time this season on Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. from Holy Names (no fans permitted).