Box Score
Kanehoe, HI -- In a rematch with Hawaii Pacific on Saturday night, Academy of Art University had three players score in double figures, but it was not enough as the Urban Knights fell 85-60 inside Neal S. Blaisdell Center. AAU (0-16 overall, 0-6 PacWest) was led by 12 points apiece from junior guard Lance Olivier and freshman guard Ivan Prema, Jr. The Sea Warriors can now be found atop the conference standings with a 15-4 overall record, 7-1 PacWest.
Hawaii Pacific started the game on a 19-4 run that included nine points from forward Mike Helton, the league's leading scorer. The Urban Knights would cut down the lead to 11 points with a pair of layups from junior forward Jonathan Burnett and freshman guard Jordan Knox. Unfortunately for Academy of Art, that was as close as the visitors would get because HPU came back with a 9-0 burst.
Prema, Jr., however, was not about to let Hawaii Pacific run away with the game. With under five minutes to go in the opening half, he knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers for AAU. The Urban Knights were down 34-19 at halftime and would still respond with strong shooting in the second period.
Although HPU increased its advantage to 24 points with 13:41 remaining on the clock, Academy of Art pushed a 7-2 run across sparked by a trey from Olivier. AAU brought the lead down to 17, but another long ball from Helton eliminated any further chance of a comeback.
Academy of Art had 12-point performances from both Olivier and Prema, Jr. The duo also combined for nine rebounds, three steals, and a 7-for-9 night from the free throw line. Sophomore forward Hunter Hayden paced the Knights with a season-high nine rebounds to go with four points while Knox put in 10 points off the bench. AAU bounced back to shoot 41 percent from the field in the second half.
Helton posted 24 points including three 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds for the Sea Warriors. Forward C.J. Jackson contributed 12 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks. HPU turned in 12 second-chance points in the second period to help them hold on to their lead.
The Urban Knights continue their Hawaii roadtrip with another rematch coming up this Monday, Feb. 1. AAU travels to the Big Island (Hilo, HI) to face Hawaii-Hilo whom the Knights played in their PacWest Conference opener. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM HST or 9:30 PM PST.
