Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Despite a strong second half and balanced production from its starting lineup, Academy of Art University Women's Basketball dropped an 83-74 result to Cal State San Bernardino inside RIMAC Arena. A 10-point first half Coyotes lead proved to be the difference while the tandem of junior guards Zoie Sheng and Sha'Nice Storey each scored 19 points.

"We played a very physical team and didn't adapt to the style of play until it was too late," head coach LaNay Larson said. "We missed too many layups early and lost our confidence. We need to learn how to play more consistently, but all our non-conference games have given us areas of weakness to work on and should have us well-prepared for conference."

The start of the first half was tightly played as the teams were never separated by more than three points for the first 10 minutes. Storey knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the opening five minutes, but the scoreboard read 17-17 with nine minutes and 30 seconds left.

A 9-3 run by the Coyotes created the first separation and San Bernardino maintained that margin for the remainder of the half as the Knights scored seven of their final 11 points from the foul line. At the intermission, CSUSB led 41-31.

The Coyotes started the second period on a 9-0 run which Sheng eventually broke up with a fastbreak layup on a made 3-pointer. Midway through the half, Sheng free throws combined with a layup from junior Regina Camera to cut the lead down to 63-49, but San Bernardino continued to have productive trips to the rim.

A 12-5 comeback by the Knights keyed by layups from junior Krystal Forthan and Sheng dropped the margin to seven points with 27 seconds left, but it was just too little too late as CSUSB held on for the 83-74 victory.

With still one more non-conference game left (Northwest Nazarene on Dec. 12), ART U holds a 4-3 record after Saturday's contest. Sheng, who was named to the UCSD Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team, finished with 19 points (11-for-12 FT) and two assists. Storey went 5-for-9 from long range to post 19 points as well. Forthan (11 points) and junior Jasmin Guinn (10 points) were each one rebound shy of double-doubles.

The still undefeated Coyotes (4-0) were led by 22 points from Alexcia Mack and double-doubles by Chelsea Barnes (13 points, 15 rebounds) and Brianna Harden (11 points, 10 rebounds).

Academy of Art will next begin Pacific West Conference play, traveling to Belmont for a Dec. 6 matchup with Notre Dame de Namur.