Two-way forward Malevy Leons secured his first double-double of the regular season, but the Santa Cruz Warriors dug themselves an early hole never recovered in their 117-103 loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Saturday night.
The Warriors shot 41.% from the field (37 of 90) and were outrebounded 52-40 in their NBA G League setback.
Santa Cruz fell behind by 20 points in the first quarter of their loss, which snapped their three-game win streak. Despite the setback, the Warriors (8-5 overall) sit in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Forward Jacksen Moni came off the bench and scored a team-high 17 points for the Warriors. Leons finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Franco Miller Jr. had 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, and two-way guard LJ Cryer had 16 points and nine assists.
Guard Desmond Cambridge Jr. added 12 points for Santa Cruz , and forward Jack Clark recorded 11 points and five assists.
The Skyforce scored 58 points in the paint to the Warriors’ 38 and had 13 second-chance points to the Warriors’ four.
Guard Jahmir Young led all scorers with 34 points and dished out 10 assists for the Skyforce (9-6).
Guard Trevor Keels finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Center Dain Dainja came off the bench and recorded 18 points and six rebounds. Center Vladislav Goldin secured a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, and guard Bez Mbeng finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Santa Cruz faces the Salt Lake City Stars (5-9) at the Delta Center in Utah on Monday at 6 p.m.
Girls basketball
At Aptos 61, San Lorenzo Valley 30: Sophomore guard Isabella Alvarez made four 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 29 points in the Mariners’ Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League win Saturday.
The Mariners made seven of their 10 3s in the first half, when they jumped out to a 35-16 lead. They outscored the Cougars 20-0 in the third quarter.
Senior Rachel Beck Davis made three 3s and total 11 points for the Mariners (10-9, 3-2). Junior Eliya Chavez added eight points.
Sophomore guard Taylor Kievlan scored 10 points for the Cougars (5-9, 1-4), and sophomore center Gigi Montellato scored eight points.
On Monday at 6 p.m., Aptos hosts Santa Cruz (12-7, 4-1), and SLV hosts Harbor (7-0, 1-4).
At Scotts Valley 60, Lynbrook 33: Freshman center Isabelle Jas recorded her 14th double-double, and the Falcons won their nonleague game Saturday.
Jas scored a game-high 19 points, pulled down 20 rebounds, and made four blocks and four steals. It was her eighth game with 20-plus rebounds.
Senior guard Brooklyn Williams made three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for the Falcons (17-1, 5-0), who are ranked No. 11 in the Central Coast Section by maxpreps.com. Senior guards Samantha Rebbert and Amaya Guerra added nine points apiece.
Kate Nagareda and Nirupama Elanchelvan each scored nine points to lead the Vikings (6-10).
Scotts Valley plays at Soquel (3-12, 1-4) in SCCAL action on Monday at 6 p.m.
At St. Francis 39, Carmel 34: Sophomore Liliana Whitmeyer had 19 points, six rebounds, six steals, and three assists in the Sharks’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division win Saturday.
Sophomore Keira Grio had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Sharks (8-8, 4-2), who led 22-14 at the half.
Carmel dropped to 5-9, 1-4.
St. Francis hosts Everett Alvarez (2-12, 0-5) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Boys basketball
At Aptos 70, SLV 47: Sophomore guard Zane Matlow had 17 points, five steals, and three rebounds in the Mariners’ SCCAL win Saturday
Junior forward Levi Race had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Mariners (7-12, 3-2). Junior guard Cade Bogle had 10 points, four rebounds, and three steals, and senior forward Carter Keith chipped in with eight points.
SLV dropped to 7-12, 0-5.
On Monday at 7:30 p.m., Aptos hosts Santa Cruz (8-10, 4-1), and SLV hosts Harbor (10-7, 2-3).
Reporting Scores
Coaches are encouraged to report scores and highlights to sports@santacruzsentinel.com following games. Please include your name and contact number in the email.