Box Score (with play-by-play)

TURLOCK, Calif. – Scorching shooting combined with unselfish play Saturday as four different Urban Knights knocking down a 3-pointer in the opening quarter was a sign of things to come as the second-most triples in program history (17, from six different players) would yield an 89-57 win over Stanislaus State. Sophomore guard Maddie Morrow led the charge with 18 points on six 3-pointers as Academy of Art women's basketball never trailed past the opening three minutes of action inside Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena.

"The staff and I are so proud of how we took another process step tonight," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "We have a lot of games ahead of us, but tonight will be one of those signature type wins that will anchor our growth as a program."

Close in the early going, the contest suddenly saw Academy of Art execute a 17-2 run with senior forward Yasmine Sifaoui and senior forward/center Christy Ojide Boiko providing points in the paint before freshman guard Violet Stutz and Morrow scored from long range. One more triple from the hands of redshirt freshman guard Karereatua Williams pushed her team back up by double digits, 24-13, moving to the second quarter.

The Warriors whittled the margin down to four points on multiple occasions early in the frame, but the half ended on ART U's 9-2 run capped by sophomore guard Anna Fornells stealing the ball and scoring in the waning seconds of what became a 39-26 halftime score.

Though the Knights did not convert a 3-pointer in the second quarter, they erupted in the third as junior guard Alba Rovira Ayuso and Fornells combined for three in the first five minutes then the final five baskets of the frame were all scores from beyond the arc from Morrow, Williams, graduate student guard Emilia Dougherty, and Fornells.
 
"That feeling when the ball falls through the hoop from three is one of the best feelings ever whether it's my shot or my teammates and tonight we all shared that emotion," Morrow said. "I was able to knock down six triples tonight because of my teammates creating advantages and having trust in my shooting ability. My sisters back me no matter the result which allows me to let it fly with confidence."

What had become a 73-44 ballgame with the fourth quarter still to play expanded to 79-46 on two more triples before Morrow and Dougherty combined for three more in the last four minutes. The end result was an 89-57 victory for an undefeated ART U squad.

"The momentum continues as we stay hungry," Morrow said. "We are not satisfied and have everything to prove. We know what we are capable of and this fourth straight win is just the beginning. No matter the result, we look to consistently grow as a unit. This team is a space to watch for sure."

At 4-0 to start the season, Academy of Art had 10 of 11 players score at least four points led by 18 apiece from Morrow and Rovira Ayuso. Morrow's six triples tied for the eighth-most in ART U single-game history while Rovira Ayuso joined Fornells, who logged 12 points and three steals, in connecting on three 3-pointers apiece. Ojide Boiko also had three steals in addition to her nine points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Williams and Dougherty had two triples each along with combining to dish out seven assists.

"Once again the depth of this team proved to be a source of strength," Clark said. "We have such a collective trust in one another's abilities on both the defensive and offensive end that the expectation is that everyone will make a contribution to the team's success. The willingness to create an advantage so that someone else can have an open look is an intentional focus and the 22 assists is something our group works for and expects."

Stanislaus State, now 0-3 on the year, had Talia Maxwell post 21 points, but it was not enough as the Warriors were held to shooting .288 from the field.

ART U wraps up the month of November with two more games versus CCAA opponents, heading to Sonoma State on Nov. 21 then hosting Chico State Nov. 23.

"We have another difficult road game ahead, but our current focus is on how we can work to take the level we are currently at up another notch," Clark said.