The Santa Cruz Warriors clinched a thrilling 112-107 victory over the Windy City Bulls, concluding the NBA G League Winter Showcase at the Orange County Convention Center on Saturday night. With this win, the Warriors improved their season record to 7-9, while the Bulls fell to 5-11.
Key players for the Warriors included forward Kevin Knox II and two-way center Quinten Post, both of whom scored 17 points. Post also made an impact on the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds to notch his fifth double-double of the season. Two-way guard Pat Spencer contributed significantly with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Additionally, Black Hinson added 16 points off the bench, while Jackson Rowe rounded out the scoring with 14 points and five rebounds.
The Bulls were led by DJ Steward, who posted an impressive double-double with 21 points and 12 assists. Adama Sanogo added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Chris Duarte, on assignment from the Chicago Bulls, chipped in 15 points and six assists. EJ Liddell also contributed 13 points and five rebounds, with both Ben Coupet Jr. and David Muoka scoring 12 points each.
The game kicked off with strong momentum for the Warriors, who surged to an early lead. Following a 7-0 run initiated by Quinten Post’s three-pointer, the Warriors’ dominance continued as they ended the first quarter ahead 28-17. The Bulls responded in the second quarter with a determined effort, narrowing the gap to just four points before halftime. However, the Warriors retained their lead at 58-54 as the teams headed to the locker room.
In the third quarter, Santa Cruz maintained their lead, highlighted by key three-pointers from Spencer and Hinson. Heading into the fourth quarter with an 85-79 margin, the Warriors faced a persistent Bulls offense, which kept the contest tightly contested. Although Windy City brought the score within one point in the final minutes, Knox’s eight points down the stretch ultimately secured the victory for the Warriors.
Looking ahead, the Santa Cruz Warriors will kick off their regular season with a series of away games against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on December 27 and 28. Fans can stay connected to the team through the official Santa Cruz Warriors app, ensuring they are updated on the latest news and scores. For those interested in attending future games, ticket information is readily available through various channels.
This game demonstrated the resilience and teamwork of the Santa Cruz Warriors, providing a promising outlook for the rest of the season as they capitalize on their momentum in the upcoming games. Fans can look forward to seeing how this victory influences their overall performance in the G League moving forward.