Santa Cruz Warriors Fall Short Against Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Santa Cruz, CA — In a thrilling encounter on Thursday night, the Santa Cruz Warriors faced a heartbreaking defeat against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, losing 108-99 at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Despite a valiant second-half effort that saw them cut a 22-point deficit to just five, the Warriors were unable to secure the win, bringing their season record to 13-18.
Strong Performances by Warriors Players
Leading the charge for the Santa Cruz Warriors was guard Chance McMillian, who scored an impressive 17 points. Trey Galloway also shone, contributing 15 points and six rebounds from off the bench. Making his debut with the Sea Dubs, forward Jordan Hall displayed his skills with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Several other players stepped up to support the team offensively. Guards Taevion Kinsey and Marques Bolden each posted 12 points, with Bolden also grabbing eight rebounds. Forwards Jacksen Moni and Ja’Vier Francis contributed significantly as well, with Moni scoring 11 points and adding seven rebounds, while Francis recorded 10 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
Vipers’ Dominance and Key Players
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers, boasting a strong record of 21-11, managed an impressive performance led by Tristen Newton, who scored 31 points, paired with nine rebounds and six assists. Guard Daishen Nix notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, both center Efe Abogidi and forward Cameron Matthews chipped in with 13 points each, while guard John Knight III and center Chase Jeter contributed 12 points apiece, ensuring a balanced attack for the Vipers.
Game Highlights: A Tale of Two Halves
The match started strongly for the Warriors, who took an early lead with Francis delivering a dazzling dunk that pushed them to an 18-11 advantage just seven minutes into the game. The Santa Cruz Warriors matched the Vipers’ sharpshooting, closing the first quarter at 26-26 by scoring 20 points in the paint.
However, the momentum shifted in the second quarter. Midway through, the Warriors were leading 40-36, but then a series of turnovers allowed the Vipers to launch a devastating 20-2 run, ending the half with a commanding 56-42 lead.
In the third quarter, the Vipers extended their advantage to as much as 22 points before Hall ignited the Warriors’ resurgence, scoring 12 points in the quarter. This surge enabled Santa Cruz to enter the final frame trailing only 88-78, after a quarter-closing 16-4 run.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Warriors continued to build on their momentum. They reduced the deficit to five points at 90-85 with just under ten minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, Rio Grande Valley maintained composure, and McMillian’s effort of 10 points in the fourth wasn’t enough to change the outcome as the Vipers pulled away to secure a 108-99 victory.
Upcoming Game: ‘Santa Cruz Surfers’ Night
Looking ahead, the Santa Cruz Warriors are set to don their special ‘Santa Cruz Surfers’ uniforms for their rematch against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. This game will feature the unique opportunity for fans to bid on signed, game-worn jerseys, with proceeds benefiting the Veteran Surf Alliance.
Stay connected with all the latest updates, scores, and exclusive content about the Santa Cruz Warriors by visiting santacruzbasketball.com or by calling (831) 713-4400. You can also download the official Santa Cruz Warriors app for iOS and Android through this link.
By staying engaged, fans can continue to rally behind the Warriors as they aim to bounce back and secure vital wins in the season ahead.
