Reno Bighorns vs. Santa Cruz Warriors, November 27, 2016

Sunday, November 27, 201                     Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com

BIGHORNS CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER THE WARRIORS

RENO, NV —- The Reno Bighorns (2-5) defeated to the Santa Cruz Warriors (2-4) 100-84 Sunday night at the Reno Events Center.

Sacramento Kings assignment player, Malachi Richardson logged his first double-double of the season with 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Assignment player, Skal Labissiere added 18 points, four rebounds and three steals for the Bighorns while affiliate player Lamar Patterson had 13 points and five rebounds in the Sunday night contest.

Elgin Cook paced the Warriors with 27 points and four rebounds as Cameron Jones tallied 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 9-4 lead and led by more than eight mid-way through the first. The Bighorns responded going on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 18 with 2:17 left to play in the first frame. Santa Cruz controlled the lead the remainder of the quarter, winning the frame 21-20.

The Bighorns controlled the second quarter, winning the frame 51-35. After a jumper from Labissiere with 10:43 on the clock, the Bighorns took a 25-23 lead that they would never relinquish. The Bighorns went on a 20-3 run spurred by a three from Ayers to begin the second quarter making is a 40-24 game with 5:50 left to play in the first quarter. Jones hit a layup to give the Warriors their first points in over four minutes before Richardson sank a three with 3:41 to play in the third. The Bighorns went into the locker room at the half leading the Warriors 51-35.

The Bighorns shot 43.9% from the field in the first half compared to the Warriors shooting 34.1%.

The Bighorns had the early jump on the Warriors after Richardson drained a triple in the first minute of the second half to hold a 19 point advantage of over the Warriors. The Bighorns maintained a double digit lead over the Warriors throughout the quarter, leading by as much as 22. Labissiere scored 10 of his 18 points in the third.

The two teams remained scoreless the first the first two minutes of the fourth quarter before Richardson hit a layup to give the Bighorns an 85-63 lead. The Warriors closed the deficit to 12 after a free throw from Cook at the 3:55 mark. The Bighorns went on a late 8-2 run to finish the game with an emphatic 16-point margin of victory.

Richardson scored 15 of his 24 points in the second half.

The Bighorns will host the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the contest will begin at $12. Fans can visit renobighorns.com to purchase tickets or call the Bighorns front office at 775-853-8220.

–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.