Reno Bighorns vs. Santa Cruz Warriors, February 24, 2017

Friday, Feb. 24, 2017                                                                                                            Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com

BIGHORNS COMEBACK FROM 25 POINT DEFICIT TO DEFEAT THE WARRIORS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —- The Reno Bighorns (13-23) defeated the Santa Cruz Warriors (19-17) 109-108 Friday night at the Golden 1 Center. The Bighorns established a new single-game franchise attendance record with a crowd of 5,106 packing Golden 1 Center in the first-ever D-League game on Sacramento’s home floor.

Gary Neal (12-20 FG) led the Bighorns with 41 points and eight rebounds while Sacramento Kings Assignment Player Georgios Papagiannis recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Hearn notched 17 points and two rebounds. .

James Southerland paced the Warriors with 27 points and 11 rebounds while Phil Pressey had 12 points six rebounds and 10 assists.

The teams kept the score close opening the first frame before the Warriors went on a run to hold an 11-point advantage at the midway point, the Warriors would hold the advantage over the Bighorns through the entirety of the period. Despite the Bighorns outscoring the Warriors 26-20 in the second frame, Santa Cruz went into the locker room with a 17-point cushion. The Warriors led by as much as 25 in the second frame.

The Bighorns went on a 17-7 run coming out of the break to cut the deficit to seven at the 6:41 mark. Reno would gain momentum and get within five points after back-to-back triples from Hearn and Neal. The Bighorns went into the final frame trailing Santa Cruz 77-68.

With 7:01 remaining in the final frame, Reno went on a 13-6 run to tie the Warriors after a pull-up jump-shot from Neal at the 3:09 mark. The lone lead change in the game would come from a made free throw from Papagiannis at the 2:31 mark. The Warriors would tie the Bighorns one final time off a made three-pointer from Henton, but would never take back a lead. In the final second of regulation, a made three-point shot from Scott Wood brought the Warriors within one point with time expiring, resulting in a Bighorns victory. Gary Neal scored 23 of his 41 points in the final frame.

The Bighorns outscored the Warriors 72-54 in the second half and finished the night going 100% from the free-throw line.

Reno will host the Windy City Bulls on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. for their 2017 Education Game.

–bighorns—

About the Reno Bighorns:

The Reno Bighorns are a member of the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA. The Bighorns are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. Season tickets for the 2016-17 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Bighorns front office at 775-853-8220 or visit RenoBighorns.com. Follow us on Twitter @renobighorns and “like” the Bighorns on Facebook at facebook.com/bighornshoops. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 22 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2016-17 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2015-16 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.