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G League Santa Cruz Warriors

Warriors Come up Short to Texas

December 5, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Santa Cruz Warriors News Release


SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The NBA D-League Champion Santa Cruz Warriors (4-4) were defeated by the Texas Legends (4-2) 115-108 on Friday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Santa Cruz's Verdell Jones III posted 26 points and 5 rebounds on an 8-of-14 shooting effort. Elliot Williams recorded 24 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Jarred Shaw added 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Tu Holloway paced the Legends with a game-high 36 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds. Brandon Ashley notched 23 points and 5 rebounds, while Micheal Eric added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Texas got a hot start at the top of the first frame to lead by as many as 10 points before the Warriors battled back to take their first lead of night behind a Daniel Orton bucket with just over two minutes left in the first. The second quarter would see a tight battle for control of the game, but the Warriors would enter the break on top with the five-point edge.

Santa Cruz remained in control to start the second half until Austin went on a 10-2 run in the 3rd quarter to take a 83-75 lead with two minutes to play in the third. Santa Cruz would close the gap and take a 2-point lead behind a 4 point play from Verdell Jones III in the final 30 seconds of the quarter.

The Legends and the Warriors would trade baskets until Texas went on a 12-4 run in the final 4 minutes of the game to push their lead to 7. Texas would never relinquish their advantage over Santa Cruz, as the Warriors fell to the Legends 115-108. The tightly-contested fourth quarter saw 12 lead changes and 4 ties.

Recent injuries for Santa Cruz have kept both Ronnie Brewer and Darington Hobson on the sidelines, leaving Coach Hill with eight total players available for game action. Head Coach Casey Hill said, "It's a good learning experience for all of us, not just for me, but for the team as well. It's important that we manage a time like this both emotionally and physically with a good sense of perspective. We continue to communicate with each other during these frustrating times and continue to fight for a win on the floor."

The Santa Cruz Warriors will face the Texas Legends again tomorrow night at home at 7:00 p.m. PST. Fans can catch the game on the NBA D-League's YouTube channel, via www.santacruzbasketball.com or on KOTR Channel 11/Channel 187 in Santa Cruz on Comcast.

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