In a similar manner to the Golden State Warriors, the team's G League affiliate in Santa Cruz kicked off the New Year on a positive note with a 109-106 victory over the Indiana Mad Ants at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
After ending December with three-straight losses, the Warriors got back on track with a dominant 38-25 opening period. They were made to work for it over the remainder of the game, with Indiana fighting back to take a one-point lead at half-time.
Golden State Warriors camp invitee Donovan Williams showed out with 28 points to lead Santa Cruz past the Indiana Mad Ants
With the Warriors holding a one-point lead heading to the final period, the game ground somewhat to a halt as both teams failed to find offense in a tense last 12 minutes. Indiana led by two with just under four minutes remaining, only for Santa Cruz to finish the game on a 9-4 run.
Donovan Williams, who was part of Golden State's training camp in October, proved the star of the show with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 2-of-6 from three-point range, and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
.@STGDwill spin around, up and under finish! 😤
— Santa Cruz Warriors (@GLeagueWarriors) January 2, 2024
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The 22-year-old also added four rebounds, two assists and an incredible seven steals -- the game was littered with 45 combined turnovers from the two teams, including five from one-time Golden State champion Jordan Bell who is now a member of the Mad Ants.
Williams was one of four Santa Cruz players to score at least 14 points, which included two-way contracted center Usman Garuba. The 21-year-old had 13 rebounds, two assists and three blocks to go with his 14 points, with the performance coming shortly after Garuba's 16-point, 18-rebound, four-assist, three-steal and two-block game last week.
Golden State forward Gui Santos had 11 rebounds but finished with just six points on 2-of-9 shooting. Santa Cruz shot 47% from the floor, out-rebounded Indiana 44-38, and took eight more free-throw attempts.
The Warriors will take on the Mad Ants in another meeting at the same venue, before heading to Cleveland to face the Charge later in the week.
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