Box Score
Photo Gallery (images by
Rob Garcia)
Laie, HI – It was a historic night for Academy of Art University Women's Basketball on Monday as the Urban Knights broke 100 points for the first time in program history in their 101-47 win over BYU-Hawaii, staying a perfect 6-0 in Pacific West Conference play. Six Urban Knights scored in double figures with
Krystal Forthan's career-high 20 points leading the way in a game that also now serves as the largest victory margin (54) of the season.
"This ride has been so amazing," senior
Alisa Griggs said about the Knights' progression to this milestone. "Being on a team for so long, you end up seeing so many new faces and playing with so many different people. The one thing that has stayed consistent throughout my time here is that each year we have grown. And each year we're able to recognize our strengths and work to take advantage of them. This year's group just happened to be the one to set the record finally, and I'm so happy to be a part of that!"
A 3-pointer by the Seasiders started things off, but that was the only lead BYUH would hold in the 39 minutes of action that followed. A 14-0 run was ignited by
Regina Camera's jumper and furthered by eight quick points from
Zoie Sheng including two 3-pointers. Eight minutes into the contest, ART U held a 17-point lead, 24-7, thanks to four quick points by
Aleigh Krug off the bench.
Camera proceeded to score the next seven points for the Urban Knights on a 7-1 run and soon a three-point play by Sheng opened up a 20-point advantage, 31-11, for Academy of Art. The margin hung around 20 with
Sha'Nice Storey knocking down a triple and
D'Andree Galipeau converting a three-point play minutes later.
Sheng reached 15 first half points with a 3-pointer at 4:00 on the clock then she set up
Molly O'Brien for a layup and ART U led by 26. Baskets by
Jasmin Guinn and Forthan finished off the opening period which saw just 22 points scored by BYU-Hawaii compared to 48 by the Knights.
"I thought we were very unselfish offensively," head coach
LaNay Larson said. "We moved the ball well, found the open person, and took good shots. Shot selection is something we have been stressing and I thought it was much improved."
It took just six minutes of second half action for the lead to reach 40 points as
Alisa Griggs' three-point play sparked an 18-4 burst that featured a triple by Camera and a stretch of six straight by Forthan including a dynamic baseline move against three opponents. The Academy of Art margin hovered around 40 points for the next five minutes with Seasider turnovers continuing to fuel the Knights' offense.
"When we are aggressive on defense, it helps to get us easy baskets and into the flow of the game on offense," Coach Larson said. "It is key that we play hard on the defensive end and force turnovers."
Another run, this time 14-5 later in the second half, created even more separation with ART U dominating the painted area. O'Brien, Storey, and Krug kept the pressure on and, once the difference rose above 50-points on
Irene Aranda's 3-pointer at the four-minute mark, it never fell below, resulting in the 101-47 victory. The previous single-game scoring record for the Knights had been 99 which came against Chaminade in year one on
Jan. 24, 2009.
"The win felt great especially to continue on our record that we have," Forthan said. "I'm happy with our team chemistry and how we distribute the ball on the court."
ART U improves to 9-5 overall and a perfect 6-0 in PacWest while Coach Larson moves to 9-0 in Hawaii since joining the Urban Knights in 2011. Playing in her third game for Academy of Art, Forthan had her first double-double of the year with 20 points and 10 rebounds complemented by five assists and three steals.
"My experience this far had been great," Forthan said. "I feel comfortable here, I'm majoring in a wonderful major, and we have a great team as we all continue on our student-athlete journey. I'm adapting well. I was afraid I wouldn't come back the same because I haven't played in a while but the more I play I feel the more I will get the hang of everything. Not everyone can make it at Division I, but I feel I can do more here without as much pressure on my shoulders. I have girls that can back me up on the court and off the court. I thank Coach Larson for believing in me and giving me an extra chance and just trusting me to prove everyone wrong."
Sheng followed with 17 points (3-of-5 3PT) and six assists without a turnover while Krug turned in a career-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field. Camera tossed in a pair of 3-pointers en route to 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Fellow sophomores Storey and Guinn each scored in double figures as well with the former getting 11 points and the latter adding 10 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
BYUH drops to 0-9 overall and 0-4 in PacWest play. The Seasiders did not have a player score in double figures as three had nine apiece. The 27 turnovers by BYU-Hawaii (which led to 35 Academy of Art points) were a season-best for an ART U opponent.
The Knights' Hawaii roadtrip concludes this Wednesday back in Honolulu with a matchup against Chaminade set to tip off at 5:00 PM HST (7:00 PM PST).
