Santa Cruz Warriors Beat Rio Grande Valley Vipers in Fifth Consecutive Win

March 21, 2023

The Santa Cruz Warriors (17-13) beat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (16-14), 126-119, on Tuesday evening at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinberg, TX. This win makes it five straight victories for Santa Cruz and keeps the team in playoff contention.

Golden State Warriors two-way guard Lester Quinones led Santa Cruz with 23 points and added five rebounds and five assists. Guard Jerome Robinson followed with 21 points and five assists and guards Dusty Hannahs and Eli Pemberton contributed 17 points each. 

Vipers guard TyTy Washington, on assignment from the Houston Rockets, led the team with 33 points and added six rebounds and five assists. Two-way forward Darius Days secured a double-double, notching 19 points and 11 rebounds and guard Trhae Mitchell added 16 points. 

The game stayed competitive throughout the first quarter, but the Warriors were able to take a slim lead, closing out the quarter with a 32-29 advantage over the Vipers. Santa Cruz held the lead throughout the second quarter, but the Vipers offense fought back to tie the game with 1:07 left in the quarter and closed out the half with a 63-61 lead.

The two teams went back and forth in the third quarter, but 10 points from Quinones gave the Warriors an 85-82 lead heading into the final frame. The Warriors maintained the lead throughout the fourth quarter, eventually building to a 12-point advantage and securing the win over the Vipers, 126-119.

The Warriors are back in action Thursday night for a rematch with the Vipers at 5 p.m. PT at Bert Ogden arena in Edinberg, TX. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Santa Cruz Warriors, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.