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Santa Cruz Warriors

Warriors Fall to Vipers in Game 2 of NBA D-League Semifinals

April 20, 2014 - NBA G League (G League)
Santa Cruz Warriors News Release


HIDALGO, Texas - The Santa Cruz Warriors fell to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 136-113 Saturday night, setting up a decisive Game 3 in the NBA D-League Semifinals.

Santa Cruz was paced by Mychel Thompson, who scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench. Daniel Nwaelele scored 20, while Kevin Kotzur logged a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards in his first start of the postseason. Cameron Jones scored 15 points and dished out eight assists, while Kiwi Gardner also had eight assists.

Rio Grande Valley was led by Isaiah Canaan, currently on assignment from the Houston Rockets, who scored a game-high 43 points. Robert Covington, also on assignment from Houston, scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds (all defensive), while Tony Bishop scored 16 and pulled down 11 boards. Jamelle Hagins also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

There were five lead changes in the game - all in the first half. Santa Cruz began the game on a 9-2 run, but Rio Grande Valley responded with a 13-1 run later in the frame to take the lead. The game was tied at 28 apiece at the end of the first quarter, and Santa Cruz went ahead by nine points midway through the second. The Vipers went on a 10-0 run to regain the lead, but the Warriors pulled ahead by two on a Kevin Kotzur layup with 2:10 remaining in the half. After tying the game, Rio Grande Valley went ahead by two on a Robert Covington driving layup with 1:24 left in the half and never trailed again, heading into intermission ahead by four. Santa Cruz scored first in the third quarter, but the Vipers immediately went on a 16-0 run to push their lead to 18. Rio Grande Valley outscored the Warriors 37-20 in the third quarter, extending its lead to 21 to end the frame. The Vipers led by as much as 31 in the fourth quarter on the way to securing the 23-point victory.

The Warriors outshot the Vipers (47.3%-46.6%) and won the battle of the boards (54-50). Rio Grande Valley had more steals (14-5), assists (32-31), blocks (11-3) and points in the paint (62-54), while committing fewer turnovers (8-23).

The Santa Cruz Warriors stay in Hidalgo, Texas, for the decisive Game 3 of the NBA D-League Semifinals, which tips off on Monday, April 21 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Fans can listen to the broadcast on the Santa Cruz Warriors flagship station, KION 1460AM/101.1FM, or watch it live on CBS Sports Network.

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