GAME #9 AAU Urban Knights (0-8) vs. #6 Seattle Pacific University Falcons (8-0)
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Seattle Pacific University, Brougham Pavilion

GAME #10
AAU Urban Knights (0-8) vs. Central Washington Wildcats (4-4)
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Seattle Pacific University, Brougham Pavilion

Game Notes (includes season/career-highs)


SEATTLE PACIFIC AND CENTRAL WASHINGTON ON TAP FOR AAU:
The Academy of Art University men's basketball team travels to Washington for the second time this season set to compete in the two-day Falcons Tournament hosted by Seattle Pacific. The Urban Knights come off a dramatic loss to Chico State and will face both SPU and Central Washington.

OPENING TIP:
Academy of Art's participation in the Seattle Pacific Tournament kicks off with a contest against SPU on Dec. 29 at 7:00 PM in the confines of Brougham Pavilion. The game can be seen here. The following evening, Dec. 30, AAU takes on the Central Washington University Wildcats at Brougham Pavilion with tip off set for 5:00 PM. Live stats will also be available for both games here.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS:
Sixth-ranked Seattle Pacific University currently sits atop the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings with an 8-0 record. The Falcons are beating their opponents by an average of just over 17 points per contest and knocked off BYU-Hawaii, the top DII team in the country at the time, by a score of 78-72 on Dec. 5. SPU point guard Chris Branchero, the fourth best scorer in the GNAC, averages 17.1 points per game to lead the team and has made 11 3-pointers thus far. AAU will also have to battle forward Rafael Moreira who stands 6-9, puts up 14.4 points per contest, and pulls down a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS:
It has been an up-and-down season for Central Washington University thus far. After a second-place finish in the GNAC last season, the Wildcats suffered two losses to PacWest teams, Dixie State and BYU-Hawaii, early in the 09-10 campaign. Central Washington has since recorded victories over Walla Walla and Fort Lewis while recently suffering an 83-68 loss to Washburn on Dec. 18. The Wildcats are the top scoring team (88.1 ppg) in the GNAC and are paced by guard JC Cook. Cook currently averages 15.8 points per game and exploded for 27 points against Walla Walla. Forward Chris Sprinker has been a particularly active big-man in the conference with his 7.1 rebounds per game average and can also be counted on for 13 points per contest.

ACADEMY OF ART CANNOT HOLD ON AGAINST CHICO:
In its second game of Humboldt State's Lawrence DeBeni Classic, AAU battled Chico State, but wound up falling 63-58 after a thrilling finale. Within the first five minutes, Academy of Art had jumped out to a six-point lead (13-7), but the Wildcats responded with a 14-2 run that put Chico in front. The Knights pushed back with a 7-0 surge, took a 30-28 lead at halftime, and the game stayed close to the very end. AAU was then down by one point with 1:10 left, but Chico State managed to convert its final four free throws and hang on for the 63-58 win. Junior forward and All-Tournament Team selection Jonathan Burnett had arguably his best game as an Urban Knight with a season-high 16 points, nine rebounds (five offensive), and four blocks.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Falcons Tournament wraps up Academy of Art University's non-conference schedule for the year. AAU will face its first Pacific West Conference opponent, Hawaii – Hilo, on Jan. 5 at the Knights' UCSF – Bakar Fitness Gym.