Santa Cruz Wins Series Opener over Iowa

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Santa Cruz Warriors defeated the Iowa Wolves, 128-122, on Friday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena in the series opener between the teams.

Iowa (4-14) held a late 122-118 lead over Santa Cruz (10-7) but missed its final six shots and was held scoreless over the final 3:03 minutes of the game.

Minnesota assignment player Leonard Miller scored a game-high 30 points to go with nine rebounds and four assists. Lance Stephenson just missed his second triple-double of the season finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Tyrese Martin, whose three-pointer gave the Wolves their final lead, poured in 20 points and added nine rebounds. Nojel Eastern had 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals off the bench.

Jackson Rowe led Santa Cruz with 24 points with Donovan Williams (22), Javonte Green (21) and Kendric Davis (20) rounding out the 20+ point group. 

The Wolves and Warriors will meet again tomorrow night at 9 p.m. CT.  The Wolves will then play at the Rip City Remix on Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. CT in the team’s final game before the all-star break. 

Iowa returns from the break on Friday, Feb. 23 when it hosts the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for Timberwolves Day. Tipoff at Wells Fargo Arena is set for 7 p.m. CT. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Naz Reid Iowa/Minnesota co-branded t-shirt.