Box Score
San Francisco, CA -- Facing Grand Canyon in a Pacific West Conference contest Monday night, Urban Knight men's basketball fought back against a 12-point second-half deficit, but eventually fell 62-48 to the Antelopes. Junior guard Lance Olivier played with tremendous energy for Academy of Art and registered season-highs in both points (11) and assists (7) in the contest. AAU's record now stands at 0-14 overall, 0-4 in the PacWest and GCU is now 8-13 overall, 2-3 in PacWest.
“We did a lot of really good things, but a lot of self-inflicted wounds cost us the ballgame,” Head Coach Mark Sembrowich said.
The game began with Grand Canyon jumping out to a 15-4 lead with three made 3-pointers. From there, Academy of Art responded by utilizing a 7-0 run that was sparked by a very long range trey from Olivier that got the Knights right back into the contest. The 'Lopes pushed their advantage back to 10 points and although AAU freshman guard Jordan Knox sank a long ball with 11 seconds left in the half, GCU would take a 34-22 edge to the locker room.
Grand Canyon grew their lead to 18 on two occasions in the second period, but AAU unleashed an incredible 12-1 burst that was capped by another 3-pointer from Olivier. The Antelopes then established a 13-point lead on five consecutive made free throws and Academy of Art again cut into it after back-to-back fast break layups from junior guard Phillip Samuel and Knox excited the crowd. The scoreboard then read 55-46 with GCU in front and 2:27 left in the game. Unfortunately for the Knights, the 'Lopes would proceed to convert three high-percentage shots and take the victory.
The Urban Knights were paced by 11 points and seven assists from Olivier who bested his previous scoring high by two points and his assist high by one. Nine of his points came from beyond the arc where he was 3-of-5 and he also tied his season-high of four rebounds which he has now reached on five occasions.
“He had a lot of good energy tonight and had a few long balls that went for him,” Coach Sembrowich said. “The seven assists was really key and something that we can really build on. His ability to drive and get penetration gets baskets for other people and that's really what we need for him.”
In addition to Olivier's all-around night, junior forward Jonathan Burnett added 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. The team-high in rebounds (8) went to sophomore forward Hunter Hayden who also contributed seven points, two blocks, and one steal.
“Hunter really carried it for us tonight on the boards,” Coach Sembrowich said. “He did a good job and got eight rebounds.”
Grand Canyon had just one player, forward Justin Wesolowski, reach double figures in scoring (16), but he also notched a double-double in the process by adding 12 rebounds. Three other Antelopes had eight points in the game for a GCU squad that collectively shot 60 percent in the first half to help give them the initial 12-point advantage.
Academy of Art University will return to the court this Saturday, Jan. 23, when AAU faces Dominican University at Kezar Pavilion. Though originally scheduled to be played in San Rafael, CA, the Knights' two contests against the Penguins were switched and Academy of Art plays this one at home. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM following the women's game.
