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G League Santa Cruz Warriors

Santa Cruz Outlasted by Oklahoma City at the Buzzer

March 20, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Santa Cruz Warriors News Release


SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The defending NBA D-League Champion Santa Cruz Warriors (16-28) fell to the Oklahoma City Blue (18-27) 107-106 Saturday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Oklahoma City guard Dwight Buycks hit a game-winning three as the clock expired to secure the weekend sweep of the Warriors. Tonight's game marked the Warriors' fourth consecutive sell-out at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Luis Montero, playing on assignment from the Portland Trail Blazers, paced the Warriors with 20 points and six rebounds. Portland assignee, Cliff Alexander, Verdell Jones III, and Aaron Craft each recorded 16 points, while Mychel Thompson added 14 points and six rebounds. Anthony Vereen posted 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting.

Josh Huestis, on assignment from the Oklahoma City Thunder, notched 23 points, five boards, and three blocks. Marquis Teague scored 20 points with eight assists and Talib Zanna posted 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Oklahoma City would open the game on a 16-6 run behind ten combined points from Talib Zanna and Josh Huestis. The Blue would extend their lead to as many as 15 points in the first, outshooting Santa Cruz (52%-36%). The Warriors would slowly chip away at the opponent's lead to start the second period, but a 20-9 run from Santa Cruz to close out the half moved them within two points of Oklahoma City.

Coming out of the break, Santa Cruz went on a 13-6 run en route to a tightly-contested quarter that saw seven lead changes and five ties. Santa Cruz entered the fourth quarter leading by one point. In the final frame, four consecutive made baskets by Cliff Alexander would help Santa Cruz to a 102-96 advantage with 3:34. The Blue responded with an 8-2 run to tie the score at 104-all with 42.5 seconds left to play.

Josh Huestis would miss a three-pointer with 4.9 seconds on the clock and Santa Cruz's Luis Montero would drive the length of the court, get fouled, and make two free throws to give the Warriors a 106-104 edge.

Oklahoma City would get one final possession with 1.8 seconds left in the game. Marquis Teague inbounded the ball to Dwight Buycks, who made a 28-foot buzzer beating three point shot, giving Oklahoma City the 107-106 victory over Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz Warriors will host the Idaho Stampede on March 24 at 8 p.m. PST at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Fans can watch the game on ESPNU, the final of four regular-season national appearances for the Warriors during 2015-16.

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