Peter Jok Ties Career-High, Suns Lose to Warriors
December 31, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Like the day before, the Northern Arizona Suns made a good-sized comeback to make it a thrilling finish, but they were unable to knock off one of the top teams in the NBA G League in the Santa Cruz Warriors, losing 111-103.
Both teams shot well in the first quarter Sunday night at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California, with the Warriors (16-5) taking a 34-27 lead after the opening frame. The Suns (3-20) fell behind by 16 points, 53-37, with 5:47 left in the second quarter before chipping away to actually win the quarter, entering the locker room at half down 63-57.
The third quarter was all Northern Arizona, who forced 10 turnovers in the frame and allowed just 18 points. The Suns won the third 25-18 to take an 82-81 lead entering the fourth quarter. Neither team led by more than a possession until midway through the fourth, and it was a 104-102 game with 2:00 remaining before SCW ended it on a 7-1 run.
Peter Jok tied his career-high with 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including a 6-of-10 mark from distance. He also tied his career-high with four steals, the same amount he had last night against the South Bay Lakers. His six three-point makes were a career-high and tied the most a Suns player has made in a game this season.
Six Suns scored in double figures, as the balanced attack included solid outings by Retin Obasohan (14 points, five assists, three steals), Jawun Evans (14 points, three steals), George King (13 points, five rebounds), Daxter Miles Jr. (12 points) and Hollis Thompson (10 points, four rebounds).
The Suns forced 23 turnovers compared to 15 giveaways, but they were outshot 45-of-79 (.570) to 34-of-84 (.405) and outrebounded 47-27. This was Northern Arizona's 10th consecutive loss, the Suns' longest losing streak in team history.
With Santa Cruz's win, the Warriors moved back into a tie for the league's top record as they won their fourth in a row, extending their second longest winning streak of the season. Santa Cruz swept the season-series from the Suns 4-0.
Kendrick Nunn led Santa Cruz with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-7 from downtown. Deyonta Davis scored a career-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, to go with eight rebounds.
The Suns will wrap up their road trip on Wednesday at the Agua Caliente Clippers at 8 p.m. MT, as they'll look to start 2019 on the right note. The Warriors will begin a four-game trip in Texas against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Thursday at 6 p.m. MT.
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