LA MIRADA, Calif. – Academy of Art women's basketball resumed Pacific West Conference action inside Chase Gymnasium on Saturday, logging a new season best of 16 steals including seven from sophomore guard Alba Rovira Ayuso, but the strong transition game was not enough as Biola's second quarter run held up for the 73-54 victory.

Freshman guard Maddie Morrow knocked down a game-opening 3-pointer and the matchup would oscillate back and forth until just one point separated the teams at the end of the first quarter with BU up 13-12. Six unanswered points in the early stages of the second frame featured baskets by graduate student guard Briana Baker-Bruce, Rovira Ayuso, and freshman guard Lucia Revenga as ART U went ahead 18-16, but the Eagles countered with a 20-5 run for their 36-23 halftime advantage.

A 19-point lead for Biola was steadily cut down in the middle part of the third quarter with two Revenga layups supported by a three-point play from junior forward/center Christy Ojide. Consecutive triples from senior guard Ashana Hinds and Rovira Ayuso twice had the margin down to 10 points before Revenga's three-point play had the scoreboard at 53-43 heading to third.

Two 3-pointers by the Eagles were hit in the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter during an 8-0 push and, though several baskets by Rovira Ayuso brought the Knights within 13, BU continued to convert from long range while fending off the comeback in what ended as a 73-54 final.

"Credit to Biola as they executed their multiple defensive tempo changes and, as a result, we could not get into a consistent rhythm of shot-making," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "We will regroup, learn, and be ready to go again on Monday."

Academy of Art moves to 2-7 overall and 1-2 in PacWest play with the day's results. Rovira Ayuso finished with a season-high 20 points plus seven rebounds while her seven steals tied for the seventh-most in program history. Revenga was the other Knight to score in double figures, totaling 12 points with four rebounds and three steals. Though junior forward Yasmine Sifaoui did not score in the contest, she provided nine rebounds and four steals.

Biola, now 6-5 on the season and 2-1 versus conference opponents, was paced by Jordan Rabe's 19 points and 11 rebounds while Jessa Thurman added 12 points.

The Urban Knights will finish their Southern California road trip and PacWest action for the calendar year this Monday, Dec. 18 against Concordia at 1 p.m.