Box Score
Bellingham, WA -- In their second game of the Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic, the Urban Knights came back with another solid second half, but were eventually bested by Saint Martin's, 73-33, at Sam Carver Gym. Freshman guard
Ivan "B.J." Prema, Jr. had a team-high nine points as AAU's overall record moves to 0-4. With the victory, SMU stays undefeated at 4-0.
After beginning on an 8-0 run, the Saints continued to keep the pressure on the Knights in the first half. The streak was broken when senior guard Weleh Dennis found junior forward Jonathan Burnett for a jumper and AAU then trailed 8-2. A block by freshman forward Mike Jorritsma gave Academy of Art another opportunity to cut into the lead, but junior guard Devin Williams was fouled and converted one of two free throws before SMU surged ahead again.
The halftime scoreboard read 38-13 in favor of the Saints and although Saint Martin's hit a 3-pointer to start the second half, junior guard Lance Olivier answered back with a triple of his own. The Knights received seven points from Prema, Jr. in the second period as well as five steals from Olivier despite the loss.
“Lance played a better second half and really got after some people,” Head Coach Mark Sembrowich said. “He did a great job and hustled. B.J. also played well in the second half and Mike did a good job on the boards for us.”
The tandem of Prema, Jr. and Olivier combined for 14 points in total including two 3-pointers for Academy of Art University. Two other players, Burnett and junior guard Phillip Samuel, each had four points apiece. And although Jorritsma did not score in the contest, he pulled down a team-best seven rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.
Forward Blake Poole produced solid numbers for SMU including 16 points. Poole was supported by eight points and 11 rebounds from forward Jared Howard and center Matt Dodson added nine points as well as nine rebounds off the bench.
“We really talked about keeping a positive attitude and we just need to make sure we understand that we're still a work in progress,” Coach Sembrowich said. “Both of the programs we played this weekend were well-coached and their players made great plays, but that doesn't mean we're going to stop working. We just have a lot of work to do.”
After concluding this Thanksgiving tournament, the Urban Knights now turn their attention to Division I Loyola Marymount. Academy of Art squares off against the Lions on Dec. 2 at Albert Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles with tip-off scheduled for 7:05 PM.
