Box Score

Oakland, CA – Four Urban Knights scored season-highs, but it was not enough as Cal Maritime managed a 78-69 victory on Wednesday evening. In a neutral site game as part of the Holy Names University New Year's Classic inside Tobin Gymnasium, Academy of Art had game-highs of 24 points and eight rebounds from junior forward Keith Davis.

“We were out-coached, out-hustled and I'm very disappointed in the way we came out in the beginning,” Head Coach Mark Sembrowich said. “We have to take a good hard look at ourselves and we have to make certain that we come ready and prepared to fight tomorrow.”

The Knights were on the board early via a layup by Davis off a pass from freshman forward William Overton, Jr. Then, seconds after checking into the game, freshman guard Czar Robotham knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the contest, 7-7. A 17-2 Cal Maritime run would follow, but an 8-3 surge by the ART U denied the Keelhaulers their opportunity to pull away.

In the final three minutes of the opening period, senior guard Devin Williams went to work scoring six consecutive points by way of a layup, jumper, and two free throws. Though Maritime had led by as many as 15 in the first half, the Keelhaulers were up only 34-24 at halftime thanks to Williams' efforts.

The Urban Knights started the second half strong with another layup by Williams, but Cal Maritime was able to maintain its double-digit advantage. That was until Academy of Art executed an 8-0 burst and later an 11-0 push to eventually cut the lead down to just three points, 56-53.

During the second run, freshman center Noah Koné-Nelson had five consecutive points beginning with a fast break layup off a steal by senior forward Phillip Samuel. In the end, the Keelhaulers converted their free throws and held on for the 78-69 victory. ART U is now 3-6 overall this season.

Pacing Academy of Art University offensively, Davis was one point shy of the career-high he achieved in the ART U season opener versus Cal State East Bay on Nov. 16. The junior forward had 24 points and eight rebounds (five on the offensive glass). Off the bench, season-highs in scoring came for Robotham (11 points), Koné-Nelson (nine points), and Samuel (seven points). Williams also added a season-best nine points with two rebounds, and two assists. Despite the loss, Academy of Art forced 30 turnovers from Maritime which led to 33 points by the Knights.

“Our team did not perform the way it needed to tonight,” Coach Sembrowich said. “We didn't do any of the things that we've been working on and had set out to do and a lot of it I credit to Cal Maritime. They did an excellent job of scouting us and taking things away from us.”

The Keelhaulers had forward Michael Weimer turn in a team-high 18 points along with six rebounds. Forward Josh Greenwell contributed 15 points including 5-for-5 shooting at the foul line. The victory moves Cal Maritime to 4-10 on the season.

ART U returns to Tobin Gymnasium tomorrow, Dec. 30, for its second and final installment of the Holy Names New Year's Classic. The Urban Knights are set to matchup with host Holy Names University at 6:00 PM.