Axel Toupane, Jordan Bell record double-doubles as Santa Cruz holds off Salt Lake City | NBA G League

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Santa Cruz's Axel Toupane, shown shooting against Stockton on Nov. 5, posted his third double-double in a win over Salt Lake City on Friday night in Utah. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Warriors forward Axel Toupane had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and the Santa Cruz Warriors held on for a 116-111 win over the Salt Lake City Stars in the teams’ NBA G League game Friday night at Vivint Arena in Utah.

It was Toupane’s third double-double through six games.

Santa Cruz led by 26 points in the fourth quarter but the Stars rallied and cut their deficit to one point, 105-104, with 1:36 remaining.

In the final minute of regulation, the Stars sent the Warriors to the free-throw line 12 times and the Warriors converted 11 of their shots to secure their second win of the Showcase Cup. They finished with 18 free throws on 22 attempts.

Santa Cruz finished its first road trip 2-2.

The Warriors (2-4) look to create their first win streak on the young season Friday, when they host the G League Ignite at Kaiser Permanente Arena at 7 p.m. to kick off a four-game homestand.

The Warriors announced Saturday morning that it acquired guard Jacob Evans III as a replacement player from the NBA G League player pool. Evans III will be available for Santa Cruz while forward Jordan Bell is on international duty with USA Basketball.

Bell had 12 points and a team-high 12 rebounds in the win over the Stars, and helped the Warriors hold a 54-52 rebounding edge.

The Stars dropped to 1-3.

Santa Cruz shot 53% (24 of 45) from the field in the first half to gain an 18-point advantage over Salt Lake City, 61-43.

Golden State two-way guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. scored 22 points, and guards Eddie Stansberry and Quinndary Weatherspoon each added 19 points off the bench. Weatherspoon had a team-high seven assists.

Utah Jazz two-way forward Malik Fitts scored a game-high 27 points and Utah Jazz assignment guard Jared Butler added 26 points with four 3-pointers. Center Udoka Azubuike had a game-high 17 rebounds.

THE SCORE

Warriors 116, Stars 111
Up next: G League Ignite at Warriors
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
TV: NBCS Bay Area+
G League standings 

 

 

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