Santa Cruz Warriors Fall to Memphis Hustle, 129-122

January 18, 2023

The Santa Cruz Warriors (3-6) fell to the Memphis Hustle (8-1), 129-122, on Wednesday evening at Landers Center in Southaven, MS. 

Guard Lester Quinones secured a double-double, making 30 points and 11 rebounds. Center Jayce Johnson notched his fourth consecutive double-double, closing out the night with 10 points and 17 rebounds. Guard Ryan Rollins, on assignment from Golden State, added 22 points off the bench. 

Memphis was led by forward Jake LaRavia with 34 points. Forward Justin Bean put up 25 points and eight rebounds and center Kenneth Lofton Jr. secured a double-double in the win, notching 19 points and 11 rebounds. 

The game went back and forth throughout the first quarter, but the Warriors took a slim lead to close out the quarter, 27-25. The Hustle closed out the second quarter on a 7-0 run to go into halftime with an eight-point advantage, 66-58.

The Hustle kept the lead throughout the second half ultimately building to a 21-point lead. The Warriors fought back to cut the lead to five points, but the deficit was too large to overcome, and the Warriors ultimately fell to the Hustle, 129-122. 

The Warriors will now travel to Mexico City, Mexico for a back-to-back against the Mexico City Capitanes on January 20 and 22. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Santa Cruz Warriors, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.