Skip to Main Content

Santa Cruz Warriors Beat Salt Lake City Stars

By Santa Cruz Warriors Staff /March 16, 2023

March 15, 2023

The Santa Cruz Warriors (14-13) beat the Salt Lake City Stars (17-12), 132-129, on Wednesday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, CA. 

Guard Lester Quinones led the Sea Dubs with a season-high 46 points in addition to 12 rebounds and four assists. Guard Dusty Hannahs added 30 points to the Warriors’ win, and Gui santos contributed 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists off the bench for Santa Cruz tonight.  

Forward Micah Potter led the Stars with 25 points and seven rebounds and guard Jeenathan Williams followed with 20 points and five rebounds off the bench. Guards Frank Jackson and Christian Vital contributed 19 points each and center Tyler Cook added 18 points and nine rebounds. 

Santa Cruz opened the contest strong, taking a lead of up to 18 points over Salt Lake City, maintaining their advantage until the quarter ended, 39-29. The Stars turned it up in the second quarter, closing the Sea Dubs’ lead to just one point before taking the lead with just under seven minutes left in the half. The remainder of the half featured six lead changes and three times tied. However, an out-of-bounds turnover by Salt Lake City set up a half-court buzzer beater by Quinones, putting the Warriors back on top to end the half, 64-61.  

The contest remained close throughout the third quarter, however, the Stars held a 95-89 lead heading into the final frame. Salt Lake City maintained the lead in the fourth quarter, but a four-point play by Quinones cut the deficit to just one-point, 121-120, with 3:16 remaining in the contest. The Stars had the chance to take the lead with Isaiah Miller at the charity stripe, however two missed free throws kept the Warriors at a 128-127 lead with 42.1 seconds left in the game. Hannahs hit a three-point shot with 31.2 seconds remaining, igniting the crowd and helping the Sea Dubs secure the win, 132-129. 

The Warriors will now face the Iowa Wolves for a back-to-back series on March 17 and March 18 at 7 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Santa Cruz Warriors, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.