SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Hayes poured in 24 points and the Dominican University of California men's basketball team hung on for a 67-61 victory versus Academy of Art on Saturday afternoon at historic Kezar Pavilion.

Hayes matched a career-high eight field goals made and hit a season-high five three pointers, two of which were the first two buckets of the game. That gave the Pegnuins an early 6-0 lead, one that they would need later in the game. A tightly-contested game, Saturday's PacWest tilt featured six lead changes. In the first two minutes, Dominican led by eight. That cushion disappeared just as quickly. Alexis Moore's jumper evened the score at 13-13 at the 14-minute mark of the first half but Hayes hit yet another three to keep the Penguins in front. Dominican went up by six only to see that lead also erased. ART U took a four point lead and took a 32-30 advantage into halftime.

Herman Pratt started the second half with a three for the Urban Knights, though Dominican roared back on a Dominique Taplin layup, a Hayes free throw, and another Hayes three-pointer. The Penguins led 38-37 at that point though they would have to fight for the lead until the bitter end. Moore gave ART U one more lead at the four-minute mark. Karl Ohrner's layup tied the game then Hayes followed with a layup to give the Penguins the lead for good. The Penguins' lead stood at two under the final minute but pairs of free throws from Hayes and Taplin put the game out of reach. For the game, Dominican went 85.7 percent (18-of-21) from the free throw line, including an impressive 15-of-16 (93.8 percent) in the second half.

Taplin added 21 points and pulled down a game-high 21 rebounds in a full 40 minutes for the Penguins. Mathew Lipski added seven points and six rebounds in the victory. Four other Penguins logged points in the book — Ohrner (5), Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten (5), Josh Ramirez (4), and Jonny Bates (2). Taplin and Josh Armstrong each dished out three assists.

ART U was held to 35.1 percent (20-of-57) shooting.  Moore led the Urban Knights with 13 points, seven of which came at the free throw line, and eight rebounds. Trent Stokes added 10 points in the loss.

The Penguins will now head to Southern California for a three-game road trip. The first game of the trip begins Thursday, Jan. 8 in Riverside against California Baptist.