The University Hawks won a close one the last time they played, but unfortunately they suffered a serious change of fortune on Thursday. They ended up on the wrong side of a rough 64-39 walloping at the hands of Academy of Science and Innovation. The result shouldn't come as a shock considering that's the fewest points University has scored all season.
When it comes to explaining why University lost, one person who can't be blamed is Malik Rich. Despite the final result, he dropped a double-double on 16 points and ten rebounds. Prince Henry was another key contributor, scoring two points along with four steals.
Even though they lost, University smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Academy of Science and Innovation's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ibrahim Sidik, who scored 16 points along with nine rebounds and two blocks. Sidik is on a roll when it comes to blocks, as he's now posted two or more in the last four games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Amari Cruz, who scored 17 points.
University's defeat ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 5-3. As for Academy of Science and Innovation, the victory was the seventh in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 10-1.
University will get a bit of extra time to process the loss as their next game is a ways off. They'll take on Academy of Aerospace and Engineering at 6:00 p.m. on January 30th. As for Academy of Science and Innovation, they will look to defend their home court on Monday against Capital Prep at 7:00 p.m. Capital Prep will have to bring their A-game into this one, as they are staring down a pretty big deficit in the MaxPreps Connecticut Rankings (they are ranked 131st, while Academy of Science and Innovation is ranked 27th).
