SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Agua Caliente Clippers (19-19) couldn’t hold on to their lead, falling in the final minute of the game to the Santa Cruz Warriors (19-16), 92-90, on Thursday night.
After a tight fist half that ended with a 50-48 Agua Caliente advantage, the Clippers turned on the burners, opening the third quarter with a 26-11 run to go up by a game-high of 15 points and led by double-digits with nine minutes left in the game. Unfazed by the deficit, the Warriors fought back and, down one with one minute remaining on the clock, a three-pointer by Jeremy Pargo put Santa Cruz ahead and would prove to be the deciding bucket.
Mfiondu Kabengele, on assignment from the LA Clippers, led Agua Caliente with a huge double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds. James Palmer Jr. and Xavier Rathan-Mayes each recorded 18 points.
Santa Cruz was led by Pargo’s game-high 24 points and eight assists.