Box Score
Phoenix, Ariz. (11/29/08) -- On Saturday evening, junior guard J.R. Cassita's 18-point performance, his highest total of the season, could not help Academy of Art University get a win as the Urban Knights lost 52-85 to Fort Lewis College in their second game of the Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Grand Canyon University. Cassita scored all three of the team's 3-pointers and grabbed five rebounds while freshman forward Hunter Hayden followed with 10 points and six rebounds.
The Urban Knights struggled in the first half and found themselves trailing the Skyhawks 16-4 within the first 10 minutes. Academy of Art University would rally back, however, and initiate an 8-0 run capped off by a long ball from Cassita. Unfortunately for the Knights, they would stay stuck at 12 points for the next four minutes while Fort Lewis College bumped up their advantage to 23-12.
Cassita seemed to be the only bright spot for the visitors as he scored 10 of the team's 21 first-half points. The Urban Knights shot 30 percent from the field during the first period compared to just over 44 percent by the Skyhawks.
After trailing 38-21 at halftime, Academy of Art University managed to vastly improve their shooting percentage in the second half, upping their clip to 50 percent. Fort Lewis College grew their lead to 23 halfway through the period primarily on 3-pointers and layups. But aggressive play on the part of sophomore point guard Weleh Dennis drew the Skyhawks' eighth team foul on a fast-break where Dennis converted a three-point play. That cut the advantage down to 18 points and the Urban Knights would come no closer, eventually losing 85-52.
Dennis and sophomore guard Phillip Samuel each finished with eight points, but each also picked up four personal fouls apiece along with Hayden.
The Skyhawks of Fort Lewis College were led by Kirk Archiebeque who turned in 14 points and seven rebounds. He was backed by DeAndre Lansdowne who had 10 points, four rebounds and dished out five assists.
Fort Lewis College improves to 4-2 overall while Academy of Art University is now 0-6.
After playing three games in four days with a shortened roster, the Urban Knights will take a much-needed rest until their next tournament, the San Francisco Invitational, which takes place on December 12, 2008. Academy of Art University begins with a rematch against Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday afternoon at 3:00PM before concluding with its second contest versus San Francisco State on Saturday, December 13. Tip-off of the second game is set for 7:30PM.
