Santa Cruz Warriors Defeat Sioux Falls Skyforce, 126-103

January 12, 2023

The Santa Cruz Warriors (3-3) beat the Sioux Falls Skyforce (5-3), 126-103, on Thursday evening at Kaiser Permanente Arena.   

All five Warriors starters scored in double figures tonight, with guard Dusty Hannahs leading the way with 25 points. Center Jayce Johnson finished with a double-double, notching 14 points and 14 boards and forward Gui Santos added 14 points and eight rebounds. In his first game with the Sea Dubs, forward Jordan Schakel had 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. 

The Skyforce were led by forward DJ Stewart with 23 points and guard Mychal Mulder with 21 points. Forward Dru Smith added 15 points for Sioux Falls. 

19 first quarter points from Sea Dubs guard Dusty Hannahs propelled the Warriors to a 40-31 lead heading into the second frame. Santa Cruz extended their advantage to 13 points in the second quarter, but Sioux Falls closed the lead to just four points, 57-53, with two minutes remaining in the period. Back-to-back three-point shots from Warriors guard Lester Quinones and forward Jordan Schakel with just seconds remaining in the half extended the Sea Dubs lead, 69-56, at halftime.

The momentum continued for the Sea Dubs, as they extended their lead to 23 points in the third quarter and maintained the lead, 94-79, going into the final frame. The Warriors stretched their lead in the fourth quarter, building a 26-point advantage over the Skyforce with just under three minutes remaining and closed out the night with the win, 126-103. 

Santa Cruz is back in action Friday night for a rematch with the Sioux Falls Skyforce 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.