AAU vs. CSUM Box Score
AAU vs. Holy Names Box Score
Oakland, Calif. (12/29/08-12/30/08) -- Competing in two games as part of Holy Names University's New Years Classic, the Academy of Art University men's basketball team fell to Cal Maritime 65-51 on Monday, before dropping a 86-67 decision to host Holy Names the following evening at Tobin Gymnasium. Sophomore point guard Weleh Dennis made it six consecutive games where he has led the team in scoring with 20 points (4-of-9 from three-point range) against Maritime.
On Monday, the Urban Knights bested the Keelhaulers (4-7 overall) in points off turnovers (16-8), but after making just 35% of their shots from the field in the first half, it would be an uphill battle the rest of the way. AAU trailed by nine points (26-17) at the end of the first half and then played a strong second period where the Knights doubled their point total after the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately, Cal Maritime shot 46% from the field in the game and converted 15 of their 18 trips to the foul line in the second half.
Led by the four 3-pointers from Dennis and his 20 points, Academy of Art University also got 11 points and five rebounds from sophomore guard Phillip Samuel while freshman point guard Marqus Crawford added nine points and three assists.
For the Keelhaulers, two players (Andrew Johnson and John Stiles) each cracked double figures in points with 12 and 11 respectively. That pair also combined for eight of the team's 15 assists on the night.
Following the loss to CSUM, AAU returned to Tobin Gymnasium to face the Hawks (3-12 overall) who had defeated Bethany College KS the evening prior. Another strong Knights second half was overshadowed by a rough first period because Academy of Art University was outscored by HNU 47-28 in the opening half. Although the Urban Knights out-rebounded Holy Names 38-37, turnovers were a big factor in the contest with AAU giving the ball over 27 times compared to 17 TOs for the Hawks.
Now 0-15 overall on the season, Academy of Art University will at long last return to Kezar Pavilion for two games and begin the New Year by facing American Sports University on Friday, January 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 PM followed by a rematch with Holy Names University on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 PM as well.
