Box Score

San Diego, Calif. (12/19/08) -- Academy of Art University men's basketball began its road trip with a 49-79 loss to the Division I University of San Diego Toreros (6-6). After losing sophomore guard Dominique Smith to a wrist injury against SFSU last weekend, the undermanned AAU squad traveled to the Jenny Craig Pavilion where, despite the loss, three Knights reached double figures led by sophomore point guard Weleh Dennis and his team-high 11 points.

Although the Toreros built a seven-point lead in the first seven minutes, Academy of Art University battled back to make the game 13-15 with 9:54 left in the first period. However, USD responded with a 15-3 burst over the next four minutes primarily on free throws (10-of-12 in the first half). Freshman forward Hunter Hayden and Dennis each committed their third foul in the final 5:05 of the half and USD eventually headed into the locker room ahead 22-38, one point shy of its largest lead of the period.

University of San Diego then utilized a 14-4 run to open the second half before a three by junior guard J.R. Cassita stopped the Torero surge. With just over 10 minutes remaining, it was a 30-point USD advantage and the margin would hold throughout the rest of the contest. Academy of Art University launched five 3-pointers in the final six minutes, but the only one that fell through was the first trey of freshman forward Lorenzo Dobson's career. Overall, the Toreros out-scored the Knights 27-41 in the second period to earn the victory.

Dennis finished with 11 points and four rebounds while Dobson and sophomore guard Phillip Samuel each turned in 10 points apiece. Dobson also pulled down a team-high six rebounds. Freshman point guard Marqus Crawford added seven points for an AAU team that inserted only eight players into the game. All four of the aforementioned players each had two steals apiece.

The Toreros, who shot 50% from the field as a team and were without guard Brandon Johnson who led USD in scoring last season, were paced by forward Rob Jones' 16 points (7-of-14 FGs). Forward Gyno Pomare had 15 points and eight rebounds to become the school's all-time career rebound leader.  USD out-rebounded the Knights, 29-37, and also forced 26 turnovers by the visitors.

Overall, Academy Art University is now 0-9 on the season while the Toreros move to 6-6.

UC San Diego (3-3) is up next for AAU as the first of two contests in the Las Vegas Tournament held at Valley High School. Tipoff between the Urban Knights and Tritons is set for 5:00 PM.