GAME #17
ART U Urban Knights (4-12, 1-5 PacWest) vs. UHH Vulcans (12-4, 4-1 PacWest)
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 at 9:30 PM
San Francisco, CA - Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats
Live Audio
GAME #18
ART U Urban Knights (4-12, 1-5 PacWest) vs. HPU Sea Warriors (7-10, 2-3 PacWest)
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at 7:30 PM
San Francisco, CA - Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats
Live Audio
Game Notes
HOMESTAND FEATURES HAWAII REMATCHES
Coming off their first Pacific West Conference victory in program history, the Urban Knights continue their five-game homestand this week. ART U triumphed over Grand Canyon 60-58 on a last-second shot by junior forward Keith Davis this past Thursday and will look to carry the momentum of that win into rematches with Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii Pacific.
OPENING TIP
The third contest in Academy of Art University's homestand takes place Tuesday, Jan. 25 against the Vulcans. This game is scheduled to tipoff at 9:30 PM following the women's matchup. Then, on Thursday, Jan. 27, the Knights and Sea Warriors face off at 7:30 PM. All contests are currently scheduled to be played inside Kezar Pavilion. All home games will carry Live Stats, Live Audio, and live score updates will also appear on the Academy of Art University Athletics Twitter.
KNIGHT WATCH
The tandem of freshman forward William Overton, Jr. and Davis currently rank as the third and fourth best scorers respectively in the PacWest. Overton, Jr. (18.1 points per game) and Davis (16.2 points per game) each scored in double figures in both of ART U's contests this past week. Davis led with game-highs on both occasions. Junior center Hunter Hayden, who ranks fifth in the PacWest in rebounding (7.1 per game), set a new program record with 20 rebounds against Dixie State on Jan. 17. He was the second PacWest player to reach the 20-rebound mark this season.
SCOUTING THE VULCANS
At just under 80 points per game, the Hawaii-Hilo offense currently leads the entire PacWest. The Vulcans had their share of dramatic finishes during an eight-game win streak bridging non-conference and PacWest play. Prior to a 78-64 victory over Academy of Art on Jan. 6, UHH defeated Notre Dame de Namur 90-88 in double overtime. Last week, the Vulcans topped HPU 100-95 in overtime, but the streak ended when Chaminade earned a 98-94 victory over them on Jan. 22. Now ranked second among PacWest scorers, forward Justin Smith leads Hawaii-Hilo with 18.7 points per game, making 58 percent of his shots from the field. Forward Zach Wilde, the third best rebounder in the conference, averages 14.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per contest.
SCOUTING THE SEA WARRIORS
Hawaii Pacific's 2-3 conference record has them as the sixth best team in the PacWest. Never winning more than two games in a row thus far, HPU began its conference season 2-1 which included a 78-60 victory over ART U in Hawaii. Since that time, however, the Sea Warriors sustained two tough overtime defeats. One came against Hawaii-Hilo (100-95 on Jan. 16) and the other was versus BYU-Hawaii in double overtime (87-84 on Jan. 21). Though no one Hawaii Pacific player averages more than 11 points per game, forward Justin Jackson exploded for 31 points against the Seasiders in double OT. Three Sea Warriors each have over 30 offensive rebounds this season for a team that thrives on second-chance opportunities. HPU is scheduled to face NDNU on Jan. 25 prior its matchup with the Knights.
DAVIS' SHOT LIFTS KNIGHTS TO FIRST PACWEST VICTORY
Last Thursday, the Urban Knights secured their first PacWest win in program history and they did it in dramatic fashion. In a game where ART U shot over 62 percent from the floor in its 46-point first half, things came down to the wire after multiple runs by Grand Canyon in the second period. The 'Lopes final push ultimately tied the game 58-58 with under a minute remaining and Academy of Art was given one final opportunity to finish everything. Davis had 14 seconds to work and got himself into the painted area to make an incredible jumper in the thick of the GCU defense. Davis finished with a game-high 18 points along with eight rebounds while senior forward Jonathan Burnett added a double-double by way of 13 points and 12 rebounds to tie his career-high.
LOOKING AHEAD
One final game remains on the ART U five-part homestand: a matchup with Dominican. The Knights and Penguins face one another on Thursday, Feb. 3 as part of Battle of the Dorms. Academy of Art will then be on the road for its next three contests.
