GAME #7
AAU Urban Knights (0-6) vs. Humboldt State Jacks (3-3)
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Humboldt State University, East Gym

GAME #8
AAU Urban Knights (0-6) vs. Chico State Wildcats (4-1)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Humboldt State University, East Gym

Game Notes (includes season/career-highs)


URBAN KNIGHTS TRAVEL TO HUMBOLDT STATE:
Academy of Art University men's basketball makes its way to Arcata, CA for a two-day tournament this weekend after a 73-71 loss to Simpson University this past Saturday. AAU will be on the road for its next four games.

OPENING TIP:
The Lawrence DeBeni Classic will begin with the pairing of Academy of Art and host Humboldt State on Dec. 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM at East Gym. The game can be seen here with live stats also available here. Dec. 19 will feature a neutral site contest between the Knights and Chico State beginning at 5:30 PM and taking place at HSU's East Gym as well. The game can be heard here with live stats available here.

SCOUTING THE JACKS:
Humboldt State University of the California Collegiate Athletic Association carries a 3-3 record into its non-conference games this weekend. The Jacks' first victory of the season was a 74-62 final against Hawaii Pacific on Nov. 21 and HSU has racked up a pair of conference wins to start league play. Most recently, however, the Jacks fell to Sonoma State 65-50 on Dec. 12. Forward Brian Morris paces Humboldt State in three categories thus far: points per game (14.0), rebounds per game (6.0), and field-goal percentage (.564). Two other Jacks, guard Zac Tiedman and forward Kevin Atkins, are each averaging 11.3 points per game and have combined to deal out 35 assists this season.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS:
Chico State enters the DeBeni Classic with a 4-1 record, the team's best start since 1989-90. The Wildcats' only loss this season was to Seattle Pacific (65-44) whom Academy of Art will play at the end of the month. To start CCAA play, Chico has notched a 66-51 road victory over SF State on Dec. 4 and used a last-second layup to defeat CSU Monterey Bay 74-73 in Seaside, CA on Dec. 5. The Wildcats are currently riding a three-game win streak coming into Saturday's contest. Forward Terrance Pellum leads the team with a 15.3 points per game average in five games played. Pellum is backed by guard Jon Baird who averages 13.2 points per game and has drained 16 3-pointers thus far including six in Chico State's most recent win over Pacific Union on Dec. 10.

ACADEMY OF ART FALLS IN FINAL SECONDS:
In a roller-coaster of a game this past Saturday, AAU was edged out by Simpson University 73-71. The Red Hawks began the contest on an 8-0 run and the Knights struggled with team fouls, but a 9-0 surge by Academy of Art ignited the home team to a 35-25 lead at halftime. After Simpson responded in the second period and established a 15-point advantage, AAU battled back to retake the lead 70-69 with less than two minutes remaining. Junior guard Devin Williams, who finished with 17 points in 19 minutes off the bench, headed to the line soon after and tied the game with one of two free throws. The Red Hawks managed to get a shot off with five seconds left to put them up 73-71 and held on for the victory.

LOOKING AHEAD:
One last two-day tournament remains for the Urban Knights after this weekend. AAU concludes the 2009 calendar year with its second trip to Washington for games against Seattle Pacific and Central Washington on Dec. 29-30.