BELMONT, Calif. – It was a rollercoaster ride of a game for Academy of Art women's basketball versus Dominican on Saturday afternoon inside Walter Gleason Gym. After both leading by eight and trailing by seven in the second quarter, ART U cut the deficit to one midway through the fourth, but Dominican pulled away for the 68-59 Pacific West Conference victory despite four Urban Knights scoring in double figures and the team tying its second-highest assist total of the season (13).

On fire from tipoff, Academy of Art made its first three field goal attempts as freshman guard Madison Johnson hit a 3-pointer, sophomore forward/center Alisha Wilson converted a layup, and sophomore guard Jadence Clifton added her own triple for an 8-2 lead to start. Though the Penguins would respond, ART U did not relinquish the advantage as junior guard Ashana Hinds came off the bench to nail a 3-pointer before freshman guard Kyla Wandick scored three times in the opening quarter's final minute and 11 seconds.

A Wilson layup and Wandick three-point play had the Knights in front 27-19 shortly after the start of the second frame, but a 10-0 Dominican run soon gave way to eight unanswered by the visitors to close the half up 37-30. Hinds started the third with another triple then Clifton worked her way into the paint and to the free throw line, keeping ART U close so that senior guard Lauryn Manns could connect from long range and tie things up at 42-42. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer had Dominican ahead 51-46, but Academy of Art would not relent in the fourth.

Wilson and Manns each converted layups midway through the final quarter as the Knights cut the deficit to one at 55-54 before seven straight by the Penguins fended off the comeback attempt. Johnson's last triple ahead of the closing minute made it a six-point affair, but Dominican hit its free throws to seal a 68-59 victory.

ART U moves to 6-16 overall and 6-11 in PacWest play with the day's result. Johnson and Clifton each had 11 points apiece with the latter adding six rebounds and two steals. Wilson posted her 15th double-double of the season with 10 points and 17 rebounds to go with three assists and two steals while Wandick provided 10 points and three assists in 16 minutes of action. Hinds knocked down three triples for nine points off the bench and Manns did a little bit of everything with six points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Now an even 3-3 in its last six games, Dominican improves to 15-10 on the year and 13-5 in conference action with an impressive performance from Brittney Cedeno who finished with 19 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Keyonee Neal also had 19 points for the Penguins

In its penultimate home game of the season, Academy of Art will host Holy Names on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. back inside Walter Gleason Gym.