ART U MBB Game Notes (11-16-22)
ART U MBB Game Notes (11-19-22)

Game #3
ART U Urban Knights (2-0) at CSUEB Pioneers (1-1)
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Hayward, Calif. – Pioneer Gym
Live Stats | Live Video

Game #4
ART U Urban Knights (2-0) vs. Chico State Wildcats (1-1)
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at 4 p.m.
Belmont, Calif. – Walter Gleason Gym
Live Stats & Video

OUT OF THE STARTING GATE
For the second consecutive year and the third time in program history, Academy of Art men's basketball has started the season at 2-0 after a pair of wins in the PacWest/CCAA Challenge, and now ART U continues its season against another pair of California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents in Cal State East Bay and Chico State. 

TIP-OFF
Wednesday's battle with the Pioneers takes place from Pioneer Gym in Hayward, Calif. at 7 pm, while the Urban Knights line up against the Wildcats in an NCAA Division II West Regional Quarterfinal rematch for ART U's home opener from Walter Gleason Gym on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights via the athletics app (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) and on Twitter & Instagram, as well as "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
Much like they did to begin their title-winning season last year, defending PacWest Tournament Champion Academy of Art posted consecutive wins over SF State and Sonoma State en route to the undefeated start. After trailing by 10 or more in both halves to SF State in the season opener, the Knights turned the tides thanks to a total team effort by building upon small runs, ultimately making their way back into the game before capturing the lead for good with over three minutes to play. The following night against Sonoma State, ART U seized the game's momentum with an 12-2 to close the first frame and never looked back, enjoying a lead as large as 15 in the second half before closing out the 77-70 victory. 

In both contests ART U has scored over 75 points, averaging 77.5 per game to open the season. In their last outing the Knights hit on 45.8 percent (27-for-59) of their looks from the floor, making up for a slow start where they made just 37.8 percent (28-for-74) in the season opener. Three-point shooting was key in the win for Academy of Art over the Seawolves, going 11-for-20 (55.0 percent) on their attempts from deep, which is the most 3-pointers in a single ART U game since they made 12 against Fresno Pacific back on March 2, 2021. Ball movement has been impressive with double-digit assists each game (13.0 per game), and ART U snagged a total of 46 rebounds in the battle against SSU, supporting an average of 39.5 per game.

Defense has played a significant part thus far for ART U, as their opponents have been forced into at least 25 turnovers across the first two games for an average of 25.5 per game, while the Knights have added double-digit steals in both contests (13.5 per game) to go along with an average of 2.5 blocks per game. Academy of Art has played tough defense at the three-point line, holding both opponents to 25.0 percent or below shooting from beyond the arc (24.4 percent average). 

Instrumental in the start has been senior guard Klay Brown, as the regining PacWest Defender of the Year has showed his all-around game early on with consecutive 20-point performances, including a new ART U career high 21 points on night one against SF State. His average of 20.5 per game average is tops on the Knights, as are his 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Against Sonoma State, Brown was all over the court and ended the contest with game highs in points (20), rebounds (eight), and assists (five). 

Joining Brown with a double-digit scoring average is sophomore forward Jamal Fuller and graduate student guard Deang Deang, as Fuller checks in with an average of 12.5 per game while Deang has added 10.5 per game. Fuller was an important piece off the bench in the win over SSU, dropping 16 points after going 6-for-7 (85.7 percent) from the floor, and was 2-for-2 from deep. Matching Brown at the top of the assists leaders is sophomore guard Rodney Munson with 3.5 per game, while junior forward Latrell Williams has also produced 3.0 steals per game to go with 7.5 rpg (second-most on ART U). 

PILLAGING THE PIONEERS
Cal State East Bay split its pair of opening games in the Stanislaus State Crossover Classic, topping PacWest foe Fresno Pacific 71-60 in the season opener before coming up just short against Point Loma 68-62 the following day. The Pioneers have shot the ball well to begin the year, posting an average of 46.3 percent from the floor. That mark is buoyed by their last time out in the loss against PLNU, hitting on 51.1 percent (24-for-47) of their looks and were 3-for-10 (30.0 percent) from deep. Leading the way in scoring thus far is the duo of Dimitrios Kionaras and Grady Lewis, as both are averaging 16.0 points per game. Kionaras has been a jack of all trades, nearly averaging a double-double thanks to 9.5 rebounds per game while pairing that with 3.0 steals per game. Wednesday's matchup will mark the first meeting between Academy of Art and Cal State East Bay in just over three calendar years, with the Urban Knights getting the better of the Pioneers in an exciting matchup the last time these two met on Nov. 12, 2019. However, CSUEB still leads the all-time series, 5-3. 

HOUSE TRAINING THE WILDCATS
After making a run into the NCAA DII Elite Eight last season, Chico State split its two games in the Cougar Classic (hosted by Azusa Pacific) as the Wildcats dropped their first contest of the season in a close 84-79 battle with Seattle Pacific, but rebounded with a convincing win over APU, 81-74. Consistency has been the name of the game for Chico, knocking down 46.9 percent of their shots against SPU before nearly achieving that mark again against the Cougars when the Wildcats hit 46.6 percent of their looks. Ball movement has helped the offense, posting an average of 14.5 assists per game while limiting their turnovers to only 6.0 per game. Though five Cougars are averaging double-digit scoring, leading the way is Joshua Hamilton with an average of 19.0 points per game to go with his 6.0 assists per game. Academy of Art will be looking for revenge as the last meeting between Chico State and ART U came last season in the NCAA West Regional Quarterfinal, a Wildcats win, and Chico has also controlled the all-time series by a 7-0 margin. 

LATE FIRST-HALF RUN PUSHES KNIGHTS PAST SONOMA STATE 77-70
Both Academy of Art men's basketball and their opponent Sonoma State got off to a hot start in their battle on the final day of the PacWest/CCAA Challenge, but ART U seized the game's momentum with an 12-2 to close the first frame and never looked back en route to a 77-70 victory on Sunday. 

LOOKING AHEAD
Another short turn around awaits Academy of Art, as the Urban Knights take a road trip to battle Stanislaus State on Nov. 22 before heading north to face off against Saint Martin's on Nov. 25.