Cruz Warriors Drop Home Opener Versus Stockton Kings, 122-97

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SANTA CRUZ, CA – The Santa Cruz Warriors fell to the Stockton Kings, 122-97, to open the 2021-22 NBA G League season Friday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena.  Warriors forward L.J. Figueroa scored the first basket of the 2021-22 season on an alley-oop dunk from guard Kalob Ledoux.

Santa Cruz found themselves down at the half, 64-55, despite 16 points from forward Alex Toupane. Kings two-way center Neemias Queta and Sacramento assignment forward Louis King both tallied 16 first half points. The Sea Dubs quickly cut the lead to 64-61 to start the second half before the Kings extended the lead to 16 points midway through the third. Stockton entered the final quarter of play with an 11-point lead, 89-78, and kept the lead for the rest of the game, thanks to 10 fourth quarter points by King.

Golden State Warriors two-way guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. led the team with 33 points (12-21 FG) and added seven rebounds. Toupane finished with 22 points and six rebounds and Figueroa closed out with 16 points.

King led the way for Stockton with 33 points and eight rebounds and Queta added 24 points. Ramsey finished with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists to help Stockton secure the win.

Santa Cruz is back in action Saturday night for a rematch with the Stockton Kings at 7 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena. The game will honor Local Heroes Night, which will pay special tribute to Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in June 2020. All fans in attendance will receive a Local Heroes Night rally towel. For more information on the Santa Cruz Warriors, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.