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G League Santa Cruz Warriors

Santa Cruz Warriors Fall to Grand Rapids Drive 109-99

February 28, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Santa Cruz Warriors News Release


SANTA CRUZ, CA - The Santa Cruz Warriors (28-12) staged a major third quarter comeback against the Grand Rapids Drive (20-20) but could not surpass the relentless Drive tonight, falling 109-99 at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Warriors guard Antonius Cleveland notched a career-high 26 points tonight, going 8-of-12 from the floor, 4-of-5 from three and 6-of-6 from the line. Cleveland also collected 10 rebounds for his first career 20-10 game. Warriors guard Darius Morris added 20 points on 8-of-13 from the field (61.5 percent shooting) and reserve guard Kendrick Nunn scored 14 points with a season-high nine rebounds.

Grand Rapids guard Marcus Thornton scored a game-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds and four steals tonight. Two-way guard Isaiah Whitehead scored 24 points, and guard Speedy Smith scored 17 points, 11 coming in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Thornton opened the night with 12 first quarter points to help Grand Rapids take a 30-15 lead over the Sea Dubs for their worst deficit of the season after 12 minutes. Grand Rapids shot 56.5 percent from the field in the opening quarter (13-of-23 FG) while holding the Warriors to 26.1 percent shooting (6-of-23 FG).

Morris scored 12 in the second for Santa Cruz to keep the offense afloat, but reserve guard Michael Bethea Jr. scored 13 in the period, buoyed by a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe, as Grand Rapids maintained a double digit lead at halftime, 59-41. Warriors Head Coach Aaron Miles picked up his first career ejection by way of two quick technical fouls with 3:25 remaining in the second, with assistant coaches Michael Lee and Kris Weems sharing head coaching duties.

After falling behind as many as 21 points, the Warriors went on a 14-4 run and continued climbing back to bring the game to within four points going into the fourth quarter, 82-78. The 37-23 (+14) third quarter ties a Santa Cruz season-high in scoring in the third frame.

Santa Cruz could not maintain their momentum in the fourth quarter, scoring only 21 points in the period as Smith put the game away with 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. Santa Cruz got within one point against Grand Rapids at 8:25 remaining before a Thornton and-1 sparked an 11-0 run to put the game out of reach for the Warriors.

The Warriors will host the Memphis Hustle (22-18) this Friday, March 1 as the team hosts a charitable jersey night with California Giant Berry Farms. The first 1,000 fans who enter the Kaiser Permanente Arena doors that night will receive a pair of wooden sunglasses, courtesy of California Giant. For tickets to Friday's game night and for all Santa Cruz Warriors home games, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.

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