The Santa Cruz Warriors clinched a thrilling 112-107 victory against the Windy City Bulls on Saturday night, wrapping up the NBA G League Winter Showcase held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. With this win, the Warriors improved their record to 7-9, while the Bulls fell to 5-11.
The Warriors were led by forward Kevin Knox II and two-way center Quinten Post, each scoring 17 points. Post also claimed 11 rebounds, marking his fifth double-double of the season. Guard Pat Spencer contributed significantly with 16 points, alongside nine rebounds and eight assists, while Black Hinson added another 16 points from the bench. Jackson Rowe rounded out the scoring efforts with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
For Windy City, two-way guard DJ Steward stood out with an impressive performance, recording a double-double of 21 points and 12 assists. Adama Sanogo contributed 16 points and nine rebounds, while Chris Duarte, assigned from the Chicago Bulls, added 15 points and six assists. EJ Liddell and Ben Coupet Jr. each scored 13 and 12 points respectively, helping to keep the Bulls competitive.
The game began with the Warriors quickly establishing a lead, thanks to an early three-pointer from Quinten Post, which ignited a 7-0 run. They finished the first quarter strong, leading 28-17 after a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Javan Johnson. Despite a strong push from Windy City in the second quarter that narrowed the gap to four points, Santa Cruz managed to maintain a slight lead going into halftime at 58-54.
In the second half, the Warriors maintained their edge, with key shots from Spencer and Hinson, leading 85-79 at the end of the third quarter. As the game neared its conclusion, Windy City narrowed the score within one point, but Knox’s late-game scoring propelled the Warriors forward, securing their victory.
Looking ahead, the Santa Cruz Warriors are set to open their regular season with a back-to-back series against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on December 27 and 28. Fans can stay connected with the team for updates by downloading the official Santa Cruz Warriors app.
This victory signifies a positive momentum for the Warriors as they head into the regular season, showcasing the potential and talent within their team. Their ability to close out close games will be crucial as they continue to build chemistry and resilience on the court.