LA MIRADA, Calif. – In one of the best defensive performances of not just the season but program history as well, Academy of Art women's basketball closed both the first and second halves strong, holding Biola to six and four points in the second and fourth quarters for a 49-35 Pacific West Conference victory inside Chase Gymnasium on Saturday. When the Urban Knights weren't keeping BU to the fewest points in a single quarter by an ART U opponent since the start of the format in 2015-16, sophomore guard Jadence Clifton and freshman guard Kyla Wandick were combining for 29 points while sophomore forward/center Alisha Wilson was busy matching her career-high of 22 rebounds.

"We did a great job at understanding time and score in the fourth quarter and that we were in control the entire game," said Head Coach Lindsey Foster. "We saw opportunities for when to push the ball, we broke their press which led to advantages for us, and then did a good job at controlling the glass."

Tied for the fourth time at 9-9, the Urban Knights rattled off seven straight points capped by five from freshman guard Madison Johnson. ART U's 16-11 advantage quickly dissolved early in the second quarter, but the final eight minutes and 24 seconds of the opening half belonged to Academy of Art. A jumper by senior guard Lauryn Manns sparked a 12-0 surge that also featured three layups from Wilson. Meanwhile, the Eagles missed 11 shots in the span and committed five turnovers, going in the half trailing the Knights 28-17.

"We knew Biola was going to shoot a ton of 3-pointers because that's what they do," Foster said. "There was just an emphasis on personnel for today's game. It was more of a personnel scout than an opponent team scout as far as their systems go."

Although BU scored the first seven points of the second half to cut the margin to 28-24, ART U responded with a pair of triples from Clifton plus a layup by Wandick to do the home team one better with eight unanswered. As the momentum shifted once again, Biola came as close as three points following a 9-0 run into the start of the fourth, but free throws and another Clifton 3-pointer fended off the comeback.

After a layup with 4:17 remaining on the clock, Biola would not score again while Academy of Art converted free throws to secure the 49-35 win. The four points ART U allowed in the final quarter became the program's new record, ending one less than the five allowed to Cal State East Bay in 2016 and Fresno Pacific in 2022. Biola's total of 35 points in the game tied for the second-fewest the Knights have ever allowed, tying with Chaminade in 2011 and second only to Notre Dame de Namur's 31 in 2013.

Academy of Art elevates to 6-15 overall and 6-10 in PacWest play with the win, the Knights' second in their last three contests. Clifton's game-high 19 points included a 3-for-6 effort from long range as well as nine rebounds to tie her career high, two assists, and two steals. Wandick provided 10 points and, despite seeing her double-double streak end at 12 consecutive games (second in ART U history only to Krystal Forthan's 16 straight in the 2013-14 season), Wilson still matched her career-high of 22 rebounds, doing so for the third time this season. She added eight points and three steals as well.

Biola falls to 10-12 on the season and 9-6 versus conference opponents. Aysia Johnson was the lone Eagle to score in double figures as she put in 14 points before fouling out with just under two minutes left.

The regular season is set to finish with four games in the Bay Area for ART U as a three-part homestand begins with the Knights hosting Dominican on Feb. 11.

"All I can ask is for us to continue to grow as a team," Foster said. "We've found ourselves in some close games lately and I would imagine we will find ourselves in more. I think it's so important that we continue to learn in those big moments and learn how to control and stay composed in those moments. If we can do that, I have no doubt we will finish our strong."