SAN FRANCISCO – Steadily working their way back from a 19-point deficit one quarter into Thursday afternoon's Pacific West Conference matchup with Hawaii Pacific, Academy of Art women's basketball went on to outscore the Sharks by 22 points the rest of the way en route to a 68-65 victory on the Urban Knights' home floor.

Though HPU held a 14-2 lead in the first five minutes of the contest and eventually a 25-6 advantage heading into the second quarter, ART U began the frame with seven straight points including 3-pointers from both sophomore guard Maddie Morrow and senior forward/center Christy Ojide Boiko. The opening surge became 16-3 after nine unanswered featured layups by redshirt freshman guard Karereatua Williams and sophomore guard Lucia Revenga plus five more from Morrow. Another jumper from Ojide Boiko in the waning moments of the half cut the margin to 33-29 as halftime kicked in.

"At the half, we discussed the two different versions of our first half and as a group committed to see out the rest of the game applying the things we did well," said Head Coach Jesse Clark. "While we weren't perfect, we were very good, and able to come away with the win today."

Both sides held brief leads during the third quarter as timely triples from freshman forward Keira Mitchell, Williams, and sophomore guard Anna Fornells put Academy of Art ahead on each occasion with the last resulting in a 48-45 advantage for the home team moving into the fourth. There, a 6-0 run on high-percentage looks brought the Knights a seven-point lead before the score was tied 58-58 less than three minutes later.

Free throws and a crucial layup on an offensive rebound by Revenga helped rebuild the ART U lead to five with under two minutes left then, while the Sharks fought back with multiple 3-pointers made, more conversions at the foul line from Williams, Revenga, and Morrow sealed the 68-65 victory.

"At the very start of the game, coach talked about effort and concentration," Williams said. "Although that first quarter didn't show it, the rest of the game we started to play as a team and really locked in on our defensive principles which ultimately complimented our offense. Super proud of the hustle and effort we played with from the second to the fourth quarter, and how calm and secure we were as team in the last couple minutes to come out for the win."

Academy of Art, now 11-14 on the season and 4-13 in PacWest action, was led by Williams' 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field while Morrow provided 13 points and two steals to match those of Williams. Revenga also reached double figures with 11 points alongside six rebounds and six assists.

"Looking forward to these next couple games, to show what our team can really do when we are playing as team and being consistent on what we do for a full 40 minutes," Williams said. "So come out and watch next Monday and support us especially to show some love to our seniors."

The loss drops Hawaii Pacific to 9-15 overall and 5-13 in conference play while effectively eliminating the Sharks from qualification to the PacWest Conference Tournament. HPU had Morgan Hawkins produce 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting from the field.

Next up for the Knights will be a rematch with UH Hilo on Monday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. from Kezar Pavilion with a pregame ceremony honoring Ojide Boiko and senior forward Yasmine Sifaoui as well as graduate student guard Emilia Dougherty and graduate student forward Claire Ricard.

"Along with celebrating the ART U careers of Christy, Yasmine, Emilia, and Claire, we will head into Senior Night with the energy of this victory and look to add another," Clark said.