Santa Cruz Warriors Fall to Ignite to Split Two-Game Series

January 6, 2023

The Santa Cruz Warriors (1-3), fell to the G League Ignite (4-2), 136-115, tonight at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, NV. 

Guard Dusty Hannahs led the Warriors with 24 points and guard Lester Quinones added 21 points and five rebounds. Center Jayce Johnson finished with a double-double, notching 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench tonight for the Sea Dubs. 

Forward Cameron Young led the Ignite with 24 points off the bench. Guard Scoot Henderson had 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, and center Eric Mika finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. 

The Warriors took an early lead to open the first quarter, however the Ignite went on an 11-0 run mid-way through the quarter to gain a four-point lead, 16-12. With less than a minute remaining, a three point-shot by Young followed by a layup from guard Marcus Graves gave the Ignite a 33-29 lead going into the second quarter. After trailing the Ignite by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, the Warriors went on a 12-0 run late in the frame to close the period and trail 58-57 at halftime. 

A dunk by Santa Cruz’s Johnson with four minutes remaining in the third quarter tied the game at 79, however an 11-2 run from the Ignite propelled their lead to 13 points, 100-87, going into the final quarter. The Ignite extended their lead to as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter and secured the win over the Sea Dubs, 136-115. 

Santa Cruz will now travel to Oklahoma City to face the Blue on Sunday, January 8 at 9 a.m. PST at Paycom Center. The team will return to Santa Cruz for back-to-back games against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13 at 7 p.m. PST at Kaiser Permanente Arena. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Santa Cruz Warriors, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.