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Sioux Falls Defeats Santa Cruz to Set Record for Best Start in NBA League History

Published on January 10, 2016 under NBA G League (G League) News Release


SANTA CRUZ, CA - The Sioux Falls Skyforce (16-3) defeated the Santa Cruz Warriors (10-12) on Saturday 102-81 at the NBA Development League Showcase in Santa Cruz, CA. Sioux Falls' 16-3 record marks the best start in NBA D-League history, and the nine consecutive wins matches the longest win streak for the Skyforce since the 2009-10 season.

On assignment from the Miami HEAT, Josh Richardson and Jarnell Stokes led the way again offensively for the Skyforce. Stokes finished with a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double, his sixth of the season and Sioux Falls improved to 12-1 with Stokes in uniform. Richardson also added 21 points, his third 20-plus scoring game as the Skyforce improved to 4-0 with him in uniform.

Santa Cruz received 17 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench from Verdell Jones, who led the team in scoring. Darington Hobson produced 16 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Warriors, and Anthony Vereen added 11 points off the bench.

There were five lead changes and three ties in the first quarter, as the Skyforce limited the Warriors to 25 percent (4-of-16) shooting in the opening quarter and made nine of their 20 shots (45 percent) to take the 20-14 advantage into the second quarter.

The Skyforce extended their lead to as many as 10 with 7:27 remaining in the second quarter, but the Warriors clamped down defensively and held the Skyforce to 36 percent (9-of-25) shooting in the second quarter. Both teams had eight players contribute to the scoring in the first half as Sioux Falls took the 45-36 lead into the locker room. Stokes' 12 points and nine rebounds led the way for Sioux Falls and Hobson's eight points were a first-half high for Santa Cruz.

Sioux Falls closed the third quarter on an 11-1 run over the final 4:14 and led by 27, 80-53, as the teams headed into the final frame. Richardson's 14-point quarter highlighted the team's 57.1 percent (12-of-21) shooting

The Skyforce led by as many as 35 points with five minutes remaining before the Warriors closed on a 19-6 run to end the game, fueled by 12 points from Jones in the quarter.

Sioux Falls will head home to take on Raptors 905 (5-15) on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET and Santa Cruz hits the road for a three-game road trip starting on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. ET vs the Idaho Stampede.

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