Warriors Drop Opener To G League Ignite, 104-109

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ORLANDO, FL – The Santa Cruz Warriors opened the 2020-21 NBA G League season with a loss to the G League Ignite, 104-109. Golden State Warriors Assignment Player Jordan Poole finished the game with 22 points and three assists while Golden State Warriors Two-Way guard Nico Mannion finished the game with 17 points and six assists.

Santa Cruz forward Axel Toupane scored the first bucket of the season in the opening sequence that led to an 8-0 run by the Warriors. G League Ignite found their rhythm and finished the first quarter with a two-point lead, 33-31.

Santa Cruz opened the second quarter on a 12-0 run before the Ignite answered with an 11-0 run of their own and carried the momentum to gain a 15-point lead into halftime, 65-50. G League Ignite forward Brandon Ashley led all scorers in the first half, recording 14 of his 17 points.

The Ignite kept their distance throughout the third quarter and much of the fourth until Santa Cruz guard Dusty Hannahs hit back-to-back three pointers with five minutes left in the fourth to cut the lead to eight. Santa Cruz was able to cut the deficit to three points with 1:41 to go, but the Ignite held off the Warriors to earn the season-opener victory.

Santa Cruz guard Jeremy Lin tallied 18 points and five assists. Toupane finished with a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. G League Ignite guard Jarrett Jack led all scorers with 23 points and Ashley finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Santa Cruz will face the Delaware Blue Coats on Friday, February 12 for a 4 p.m. (PST) tip on NBC Sports Bay Area. For more information on the Santa Cruz Warriors, visit santacruzbasketball.com or call (831) 713-4400.