GAME #3
AAU Urban Knights (0-2) vs. Western Washington Univ. Vikings (5-1)
Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Western Washington Univ., Sam Carver Gym

GAME #4
AAU Urban Knights (0-2) vs. Saint Martin's University Saints (2-0)
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Western Washington Univ., Sam Carver Gym

Game Notes (includes season/career-highs)


11TH CHUCK RANDALL THANKSGIVING CLASSIC:
Now two games into the season, Academy of Art University men's basketball will compete in its first tournament of the season this Friday in Seattle, WA. The Urban Knights are set to face Western Washington University and Saint Martin's University in the two-day event. The game between the Vikings and Urban Knights can be seen live free of charge at http://www.greatnorthwest.tv/

OPENING TIP:
The Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic will be the first of three tournaments for Academy of Art this season. Game one versus host Western Washington is set for Nov. 27 at 7:00 PM while the second contest pits AAU against Saint Martin's University at 3:00 PM. Both games are scheduled to take place at WWU's Sam Carver Gym.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS:
Currently holding the best overall record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Western Washington University comes into their Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic having won its last 12 games in the tournament's 11-year history. This season, WWU's lone loss came against Kentucky Wesleyan (71-58) on Oct. 31, but the Vikings most recently bested CSUMB 72-58 on Nov. 20 and Dominican 87-72 on Nov. 21. Forward Michael Duty had been leading the team with 12.8 points per game, but after suffering a broken finger four games in, guard Derrick Webb has picked up the slack and posted 28 points in the last two games.

SCOUTING THE SAINTS:
Saint Martin's University is very familiar with opponents from the PacWest Conference this year. In two games thus far, the Saints have defeated Hawaii-Hilo 84-69 on Nov. 20 and then handled Notre Dame de Namur 76-59 one day later on Nov. 21. In the two victories, guard Galen Squires has led the team with 18 points per game and 4.5 assists per game. Behind him has been center Blake Poole who is currently averaging 15.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Last season, SMU finished with a 22-8 overall record and was fourth in the GNAC standings.

URBAN KNIGHTS EDGED BY MUSTANGS, 74-64:
AAU took on The Master's College this past Saturday and although the Knights matched The Master's College offensively in the second period, a 17-5 run by the Mustangs midway through the first half was too much to overcome. Academy of Art cut the lead down to 10 at halftime and eventually it was just three points after a 7-0 surge by AAU. A total of 13 second-half points by junior guard Phillip Samuel gave him a game-high 25 points overall despite the loss.

LOOKING AHEAD:
With the conclusion of November comes a big challenge for Academy of Art University. On Dec. 2, the Urban Knights will be on the road to face Division I Loyola Marymount. The first home game of the season follows on Dec. 12 when AAU takes on Simpson University at UCSF.