SANTA CRUZ – A five-game road trip for the Austin Spurs has yet to produce a road win, as the Santa Cruz Warriors staved off a late comeback to defeat the Spurs, 109-103.
Phil Pressey led all scores with 31 points. Elgin Cook added 22 points off the bench. Cameron Jones had 16 points, while Dennis Clifford had nine points and 17 rebounds.
Cory Jefferson continues to dominate for the Spurs, as the forward finished with 22 points and eight rebounds. Dejounte Murray notched a monster triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, but shot a ghastly 2-for-19 from the field. Patricio Garino and Jarell Eddie had 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Santa Cruz shot 55 percent from the field to start the game, behind 10 points from Pressey.
The Warriors would extend their seven point first quarter lead to 12 before halftime, but Jefferson’s 12-point second quarter kept the Spurs within striking distance.
Despite the Warriors shooting a poor 38 percent in the third quarter, Austin failed to capitalize on Santa Cruz’s shooting woes, committing five turnovers in the quarter alone.
Down 13 points heading into the final quarter, Jefferson nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the Warriors lead to single digits. The Warriors would answer Austin’s mini run before Eddie nailed his own back-to-back 3-pointers, cutting the lead to seven. Charles Garcia would get a layup off a Murray assist to cut the lead to five, before both teams went on a two minute scoreless stretch. Austin managed to get within two points late, before Santa Cruz sealed the game at the free throw line for the win.
Losers of four straight, the Austin Spurs (4-6) now travel to Southern California to take on the Los Angeles D-Fenders (8-3) from the Toyota Sports Center. Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. CST with the game being broadcast on Facebook Live.
