Santa Cruz Stymies Skyforce

The reprieve from excessive turnovers lasted one game.  In the first outing of 2013, the Sioux Falls Skyforce committed 23 turnovers in a 109-93 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA Development League.  Both teams were prone to numerous giveaways as the home team coughed it up 21 times.

Most mitigating of factors was the discrepancy in the shooting stroke for both teams.  Santa Cruz was good from the floor at a 57 percent clip, while Sioux Falls struggled at 40 percent.

The middle two quarters surmised the downfall for Sioux Falls with a deficit reaching double digits early in quarter number two and swelling to 25 points late in the third.  The Skyforce cut the spread to 9 points midway through the last frame, but Santa Cruz was able to ride out the closing moments firmly on top.

Victorious Santa Cruz got heavy contribution from their NBA assignees Kent Bazemore with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals with Jeremy Tyler contributing 18 points.  Santa Cruz is the wholly owned affiliate of the Golden State Warriors.  The two assignees for Sioux Falls also put up big numbers as Dexter Pittman scored 15 and collected 14 boards while Arnett Moultrie had 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Also worthy of note was Demetris Nichols with 15 points.

Sioux Falls continues their western swing on Friday in Reno while Santa Cruz travels to Ft. Wayne to square off with the Mad Ants.