G League Santa Cruz Warriors

Santa Cruz Warriors Defeat Bakersfield in Season Opener

Published on November 14, 2015 under NBA G League (G League)
Santa Cruz Warriors News Release


SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The NBA D-League Champion Santa Cruz Warriors defeated the Bakersfield Jam 104-87 on Friday at Kaiser Permanente Arena in front of a sellout crowd.

On a night that began with special pregame festivities featuring the Championship banner unveiling and ring ceremony, the Warriors set the tone early for their 2015-16 campaign. Daniel Orton led the charge for Santa Cruz after a hot-shooting first half, scoring 18 of his 22 points before the break.

2015 NBA D-League Finals MVP Elliot Williams notched 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Darington Hobson recorded a double-double, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Earl Clark paced the Jam with a double-double, totaling 18 points and 10 rebounds. Branden Dawson, on assignment from the Clippers, tallied 12 points.

Santa Cruz jumped out to 12-point lead in the opening frame behind the strong offensive play of center Daniel Orton who stayed perfect from the field, notching 11 first-quarter points. The second period would see the Warriors increase their distance from Bakersfield, leading by as many as 23 points.

The Jam would fight to regain their footing in the game late in the fourth quarter, coming within 13 points at the 5:15 mark, but their efforts were not enough to pull a comeback win.

Santa Cruz held the edge in nearly every team category, outshooting Bakersfield from the field (48.8% - 40.5%), scoring more points in the paint (60-36), and dishing out more assists (26-18).

The Santa Cruz Warriors received their 2014-15 NBA D-League Championship rings this evening during a special pregame ceremony. NBA Development League President Malcolm Turner, along with outgoing Santa Cruz Warriors President Jim Weyermann and Golden State Warriors Assistant General Manager Kirk Lacob, presented last season's coaches and players, including Golden State Warriors forward James Michael McAdoo, with unique diamond-clad rings. McAdoo is one of two players in NBA history to win both an NBA and NBA D-League Championship in the same season (the other is former Warrior Ognjen Kuzmic). The team also unveiled the 2014-15 NBA D-League Championship banner during the pregame festivities.

The Santa Cruz Warriors will travel to Los Angeles tomorrow to take on the D-Fenders at 6:30 p.m. PST. Fans can catch the game on the NBA D-League's YouTube channel, via www.santacruzbasketball.com.

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NBA G League Stories from November 14, 2015


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