GAME #26
AAU Urban Knights (4-21) vs. Notre Dame de Namur University Argonauts (5-19)
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Academy of Art University, Kezar Pavilion

Game Notes

SEASON FINALE:
It will be a full two weeks since Academy of Art University men's basketball's most recent game when they take on Notre Dame de Namur University in their season finale. The Argonauts are one of the Urban Knights' Pacific West Conference rivals and a team that narrowly escaped with an overtime victory (74-69) on Feb. 3 when the teams previously met in Belmont, California. As the only overtime game Academy of Art University has experienced this year, it seems only fitting that the two squads will face off in this final game of AAU's inaugural season.

OPENING TIP:
The rematch between the Knights and NDNU will take place at Kezar Pavilion on Feb. 21. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.

SCOUTING THE ARGONAUTS:
Notre Dame de Namur has no doubt been struggling since the beginning of conference play. The overtime victory the Argonauts had over the Urban Knights was their only win in their last 12 games. The only winless team in Pac West play, NDNU has played significantly better when at home (5-9) compared to their 0-12 road record. In Notre Dame de Namur's previous matchup with AAU, forward Dan Bergeron, the Argonauts' second leading scorer (11.5 ppg), nearly accomplished a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Guard Andre Hayes scored 15 points off the bench and guard Bennie Murray, the team's scoring leader (12 ppg), turned in 11 points and nine rebounds.

RECAPPING LAST THREE GAMES:
Already familiar with intense travel, the Urban Knights had another challenging first week of February. In Belmont, AAU had two chances to vanquish NDNU in the waning seconds, but ended up losing the game 74-69 in overtime shortly thereafter. Then Academy of Art University headed to Orem, Utah where it faced a strong Division I Utah Valley University squad who ran away with nearly a 40-point victory. The Knights did not have time to return to San Francisco, however, because they then journeyed to San Bernardino for a rematch with American Sports University. Despite unusual circumstances in a community gym, AAU earned its fourth victory of the season with a 61-60 win in which sophomore guard Phillip Samuel scored 25 points.