Sports
Warriors Drop the Bighorns in Fourth, 101-96
Dan Nwaelele comes back from injury and has clutch fourth quarter performance.
The Santa Cruz Warriors completed the two game series sweep of the Reno Bighorns, 101-96.
The Warriors(22-12) were sparked by the clutch performance of Dan Nwaelele. The 6-foot-5 guard had 13 of his 16 points in the final quarter.
"I tried to stay agressive," said Nawelele. "First couple shots went down and I kind of got in a rhythm. My teammates were finding me."
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I was just trying to play hard and trying to bring some energy."
The Air Force product has had an injury plagued season and has only played in 14 of 34 games. Coming into the fourth quarter he had played only eight minutes, but he would start his hot streak with a 3-pointer that cut the Bighorn(13-20) lead down to one.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
He followed up the three on the next possession by feeding Mickell Gladness for a go-ahead dunk. The Bighorns would answer however by making two free throws and regaining the lead, but tonight was just Nwaelele's night. He hit another big 3-point shot to steal the lead back from Horns, and dropped in a layup and give the Warriors a four point cushion.
"Daniel was great," said Warriors head coach Nate Bjorkgren. "He hit big shots and our guys knew he was hot, they felt he was hot and they were getting him the ball and he knocked them down. He did a great job."
Stefhon Hannah lead the Warriors with 21 points and he also added seven assists. Darington Hobson, Mickell Gladness and Cameron Jones all finished in double figures with 18, 12 and 13 respectively.
Bighorns forward Samardo Samuels notched another double-double, his 12th in a row, with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Ronald DuPree also had a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Marcus Landry had 14 points.
With this win the Warriors have won their first three games of their eight game home-stand that will continue this Friday against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers(20-13). The Warriors are heating up at the right time of the season and are now just a game and a half back of the Bakersfield Jam for first place in the West Division.
