The Santa Cruz Warriors advanced to the NBA D-League semifinals with a 138-126 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders Saturday night. Santa Cruz was paced by Cameron Jones, who scored a career-high 33 points. Ognjen Kuzmic, currently on assignment from the Golden State Warriors, scored 23 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, while Lance Goulbourne also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 boards. Seth Curry scored 23 points, and Daniel Nwaelele had 15 points and five assists. Kiwi Gardner scored 12 points off the bench, and Mychel Thompson chipped in with 10 points. Los Angeles was paced by Brandon Costner, who scored a D-Fenders single-game postseason record 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Shawne Williams logged a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Terrence Williams scored 17. Josiah Turner scored 16 points off the bench, and Josh Magette had a game-high seven assists. The Warriors and D-Fenders traded the lead early, but Los Angeles took control off a 16-0 run in the first quarter. Santa Cruz cut the deficit to single-digits later in the frame, and regained the lead on a 14-2 run to end the first half. The Warriors never relinquished their lead, scoring a Santa Cruz playoff record 44 points in the third quarter - the most scored in that frame in any setting by the Warriors - on 66.7% shooting from the field. Santa Cruz held its largest lead of 17 in the third frame on its way to securing the 12-point victory. Santa Cruz outshot the D-Fenders (52.7%-44.3%), won the battle of the boards (59-52) and dished out more assists (28-27). Los Angeles held the edge on steals (9-6) and committed fewer turnovers (10-13). Each team scored 62 points in the paint and blocked four shots. The Warriors will face the winner of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers-Iowa Energy series, which will be decided on Monday, April 14 in Game 3. The schedule of the NBA D-League semifinals will be announced at a later date, but Santa Cruz is guaranteed to host Game 1 and travel for the remaining game(s) of the series. Press release from the Santa Cruz Warriors
