Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Swords shot down the Urban Knights 101-88 in a Pac West Conference affair that saw both teams combine for 189 points.
Chaminade got off to another quick start leading 17-7 after a
Bennie Murray (Fairfield, CA/Will C. Wood) just five minutes into the first half. It was a sign of things to come for Murray. The Swords offense was clicking in the opening twenty minutes, but Academy of Art was up to the challenge, as an Aaron Anderson layup to end the half, made the score 43-42 Urban Knights at the half.
The opening minutes of the second half saw scoring from both sides. Academy of Art took a 64-59 lead on an Ameer Shamsud-din three with 12:04 left in the contest. The three gave AAU its largest lead of the contest. Silversword
Bennie Murray exploded for five three's in the next five minutes and the Swords grabbed a lead it would never relinquish. Murray made 9-13 attempts from three while scoring 34 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, a historic night for the 6'4 junior. Chaminade scored 59 points in the half to win going away, 101-88.
Five players scored in double figures for the Swords.
Matt Cousins (Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman) was terrific inside for Chaminade, tallying 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds. CUH guard
Waly Coulibaly, (Bamako, Mali/Patterson) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, making four out of six attempts from three.
Lee Bailey tallied 14 points along with 6 assists, while junior
Dominique Cooks (Wollongong, AUS/Holy Spirit) had a strong all-around game with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Swords dominated the rebounding battle 38-28. Chaminade shot 52% from the floor and a scorching hot 53% from three. Chaminade made sixteen three's on the contest. The Urban Knights shot well also, connecting on 51% of their shots for the contest.
Coach Bovaird commented on the win: “We really enjoyed playing in such a historic gym. Bennie and Matt really put on a show in front of their hometown fans. Bennie was knocking down three's from NBA range and getting nothing but net. Academy was making shots, we were making shots, and there wasn't a lot of defense being played. Our guys were very unselfish though. We had 24 assists, which I was really happy with. We still need work on the defensive end, but five guys in double figures, 101 points, it was good to see.”
Academy of Art was led by Czar Robotham with 27 points.
Chaminade is back at home against Grand Canyon on January 30th in McCabe Gymnasium. Tip is set for 7:30 PM HT.
With the win, the Swords move to 8-6, 6-1 in PWC while Academy of Art drops to 3-16, 1-8 PWC.
