Santa Cruz's Fourth Quarter Rally Falls Short
March 3, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Santa Cruz Warriors News Release
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The defending NBA D-League Champion Santa Cruz Warriors (14-24) fell to the Bakersfield Jam (14-24) 108-104 on Wednesday at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
Verdell Jones III paced the Warriors with game-high of 26 points and 6 assists. Darington Hobson recorded a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Xavier Henry added 14 points. Kevon Looney, playing on assignment from the Golden State Warriors, finished with 11 points and 8 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Terrico White led Bakersfield with 25 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds. Xavier Munford and Cory Jefferson finished with 16 points apiece.
The Jam jumped ahead to an 11-2 lead in the early minutes of the opening frame behind a 67% team shooting effort. The Warriors were held to 30% team shooting and would enter the second frame at an 18 point deficit.
The Jam increased their distance from Santa Cruz to lead by as many as 24 points in the second frame before the Warriors chipped away at the Bakersfield lead to enter the break down by 17 points.
Coming out of the locker room, Santa Cruz outscored the Jam 29-22 to cut their deficit to 7 points with under 3 minutes to go in the third. The Warriors stayed within striking distance to enter the final frame at a 10-point deficit.
In the final frame, the Warriors came within two points of the Jam after a lay-up from Hobson with 4 seconds left in the game. Bakersfield held their ground on the defensive end and knocked down clutch free-throws in the final seconds of the game that ultimately sealed their victory.
The Santa Cruz Warriors will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Blue in a weekend double-header, with the first contest scheduled to tip-off at 5 p.m. PST on March 4. Fans can watch the game on the NBA D-League's YouTube channel, via www.santacruzbasketball.com.
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