Box Score
Photo Gallery (images by Rob Garcia)

Laie, HI -- Tested by BYU-Hawaii from start to finish, the Academy of Art University women's basketball team used unselfishness and determined to persevere to an 85-80 victory Monday evening. The Urban Knights offered a new program-record 28 assists and the second most rebounds in ART U history to hold on late inside the Cannon Activities Center. Freshman Sha'Nice Storey scored 21 points (including five 3-pointers), junior Alisa Griggs added her first double-double of the year (18 points, 11 rebounds), and freshman Jasmin Guinn added 13 rebounds, nine points, and six assists to power a 52-12 difference in bench points.

"Tonight was a battle and I knew it would be," head coach LaNay Larson said. "We came out flat and we are going to get everyone's best shot right now. We were able to get plenty of good looks and just couldn't consistently knock down shots. The 28 assists is a great stat and shows how much this team shares the ball."

Although BYU-Hawaii began the game on a 9-3 run, the Urban Knights refused to let it affect them. Back-to-back layups by Griggs and Storey initiated an 8-0 run which also featured a St. Mary's Academy connection as freshman Zoie Sheng hit Storey for her first of a career-high five triples.

“I've always liked to shoot the three; it's one of the main things I'm good at,” Storey said. “Once I start hitting a couple, I get the confidence to keep shooting and I'm also supported by the faith that my teammates have in me. They always tell me to keep shooting no matter if I am on or not. They know it will fall eventually.”

The Seasiders would come back with a 9-2 burst thanks to some success beyond the arc, but an 8-2 response by ART U put the Knights back in front 26-24. In addition to Storey heating up, senior Juliua Fraser had a key steal and basket in transition during that push which would have Academy of Art ahead permanently.

In a two-minute span, the Knights went from down three to up nine as Storey buried her third triple and senior Nicol Biesek delivered the assist to Griggs on two occasions. Sophomore Madeline Martin and freshman Jasmin Guinn were soon adding to the bench brigade. Martin's jumper capped the run to go up nine and, after senior Jordan Rogers hit a jumper followed by two Griggs baskets in the final minute, Guinn finished off a 7-0 run to end the half with a trey. 

“Bench play was huge tonight with foul trouble,” Coach Larson said. “Shani hit some big shots, Jas was a monster on the boards, and Alisa had her best game so far. Maddie came in and played good defense along with six assists so was nice to see her gain some confidence.”

A jumper by senior Katy Wade held it at a double-digit advantage early in the second half, but BYUH opened the period on a 7-2 run which was eventually stopped by freshman Regina Camera's basket. Rogers and Griggs later combined for four consecutive made free throws to get their team back ahead by 11 and yet the Seasiders would not go away, responding with a 12-4 surge.

The game of runs continued as Academy of Art was sparked by another triple from Storey. Guinn, who assisted that shot, delivered a jumper of her own and Storey was there once again to drop a shot from deep and put the Knights up 11 once again. Despite that lead, BYU-Hawaii made another push, this one 11-4, to cut into the advantage and soon a 3-pointer by Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo made it a three-point game, 78-75.

That's when Sheng took charge. Known for her composure throughout games, the freshman picked up an offensive rebound with 2:19 to play and then converted at the foul line after getting hacked. A minute later, she smoothly got into the paint and scored a high-percentage bucket. Immediately after, she tipped a pass at center-court, stole the ball, and was again fouled, but knocked down her foul shots. That critical sequence turned a three-point lead into nine and kept the Seasiders at bay.

In the end, Monday's 85-80 win for the Urban Knights was extremely challenging, but their team unity kept them on track for their 11th victory of the season and a perfect 4-0 record in conference play. The memorable team achievements in this one were the most assists (28) in single game since the 27 that came last year against BYU-Hawaii and were matched versus Holy Names this past December. Additionally, the Knights grabbed 64 rebounds which surpassed the 57 at Hawaii Pacific last January, but are second to the 82 against Dominican on Jan. 30, 2012.

"It feels great to come out with this win," Griggs said. "It was clearly a tough one but we were able to come out on top in the end. I feel like we are making good strides on the boards; we know that is one area that is pure effort. I think that was key down the stretch."

Storey led the way with 21 points, just one shy of her career-high which came in her collegiate debut against Humboldt State on Nov. 9. Her five 3-pointers helped add her name to the historical list as the second-most in a single game by an Urban Knight. She added two assists as well.

"I think just being so far on the road and getting these two wins is giving us the confidence that we need to keep up the great work," Storey said.

Griggs, who has battled back to full strength this year, finished with her first double-double of the year in the form of 18 points and 11 rebounds. She was 8-of-16 shooting from the field and contributed four assists as well as a steal in this revitalized performance.



“I had no idea I had a double-double until we were on the road back,” Griggs said. “It feels so amazing. I worked so hard with Laz Cardenas to get back and the journey has been long. Honestly, I had to just try and remember how it felt to play last season, especially after going 0-for-8 from the field against HPU. I just relaxed. Our team is well-rounded enough to have players step up when others are struggling. I love this team and I love getting to be back in the action with them!”

Also part of the ART U bench mob, Guinn posted career-highs in both rebounds (13) and assists (6). She had eight offensive rebounds alone, surpassing the six she grabbed against CSUMB earlier this season. In addition, the freshman delivered nine points and three steals. Rogers put in 11 points and added six rebounds with four steals while Wade grabbed 12 rebounds (eight offensive), scored seven points, and contributed three steals as well as two blocks.

In a game where the Urban Knights had production throughout the entire lineup, Biesek posted seven points, seven rebounds, and had four assists. Martin finished with a season-high seven assists. Sheng went for six points (many critical down the stretch), four steals, and two assists.

Four Seasiders scored in double figures led by Danna Lynn Hooper's 23 points. Tatupu-Leoploldo offered 18 points and 10 assists while Washington was held to 11 points and 12 turnovers despite 17 rebounds. BYU-Hawaii drops to 2-8 overall, 1-3 in PacWest action,

The Urban Knights' third and final game on their Hawaii roadtrip will take place Wednesday, Jan. 9 at Chaminade. That contest is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM HT (7:00 PM PT) inside McCabe Gymnasium.

“This trip is huge,” Coach Larson said. “The goal is to get this third win and get home to start preparing for next round. Biggest thing is, with such an opportunity, we can't take a day off.”