OAKLAND, Calif. – Jumping out to a 14-3 lead with a hot start, Academy of Art women's basketball found UH Hilo up by nine at halftime before the Urban Knights' third-quarter comeback was countered by a final push from the Vulcans to a 64-50 Pacific West Conference victory inside Laney College Gym on Saturday.

ART U knocked down each of its first four shots as junior forward Yasmine Sifaoui had five of the team's 9-3 lead in the opening two minutes. A triple by graduate student guard Emilia Dougherty later extended the margin to 14-3, but UH Hilo closed the quarter with six straight to cut the difference to 16-9 heading to the second.

Junior forward/center Christy Ojide had the first four points for Academy of Art in the frame yet the home team's lead was down to 20-17 on her second bucket. Heating up from long range, the Vulcans then used a 14-3 push to gain what became a 32-23 halftime advantage.

Scores by freshman guard Lucia Revenga bookended an 11-2 start to the second half for ART U as the Knights pulled to within two points at 36-34. One possession separated the teams for much of the third quarter until a 6-2 burst by UH Hilo prompted a 44-40 difference moving to the fourth where a three-point ballgame suddenly shifted seven unanswered points separated the Vulcans for the eventual 64-50 win.

"After a good start and then coming together after the half to compete the way we did is something that we are very happy with today," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "Credit to Hilo for making some big-time shots late. We will continue to grow and learn and I do believe that we will be able to finish off these games with the result we are looking for very soon."

Academy of Art, now 4-18 overall and 3-13 in PacWest play, had Revenga finish with 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field in addition to her two steals while Ojide contributed 11 points and six rebounds. Sifaoui was the third Knight to score in double figures with 10 points along with five rebounds and three blocks.

UH Hilo begins its mainland road trip by improving its overall record to 11-11 overall and 8-8 in conference play. Kamalu Kamakawiwoole and Kaile Cruz shared the team high of 16 points apiece with the former adding 11 rebounds and two steals.

The final part of ART U's current homestand will be next as the Knights host Dominican on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. inside Laney College Gym once again.