Read em and weep: Santa Cruz Warriors go down to their fourth straight loss at Kaiser Permanente in Sant a Cruz on Wed Mar 5, 2025 (Santa Cruz Warriors X photo)
Michael Roberson
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Santa Cruz Warriors (12-11) lost their fourth straight game, after a 116-98 loss to the Wisconsin Herd (12-13) on a cool evening in Surf City.
The Warriors got on the board first with a floating jumper by Seth Maxwell. The Herd tied it at two, then went on an 11-0 run to produce their largest lead. The Herd made a charge and cut the deficit to two. However, Santa Cruz was able to move the Herd back, and stay in front after 12 minutes of game action.
After one quarter, the home squad held a five-point advantage, 28-23. Braxton Key led the Warriors with ten points and five rebounds, while Henry Ellenson not only led the Herd in scoring (13) after one stanza, he led both teams, in addition to his five rebounds.
The second quarter had the Warriors double their lead and control most of the period. As the Herd did in the first quarter, they stampede around the two-minute mark of the second block. They tied the game at 43 at seconds over two minutes. Then they took their first lead (46-45) of the contest at 1:49 on a made free throw.
The Warriors overcame their four point deficit, and managed to be tied at recess, 49-49. Key led SCW with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Ellenson topped the Herd, also with 21 points and seven rebounds.
The third period had the Warriors get out to a four points lead, but midway through the quarter Wisconsin retook the lead and increased it to ten by the end of 36 regulation minutes. The Herd led 90-80 after three competitive quarters. There were three lead changes and nine ties during that time frame. Wisconsin seemed to be in prime position to totally take over the game at that particular point.
In the final quadrant, the Herd actually increased their lead to as many as 18 points. That also was the margin after 48 minutes, 116-98. Four straight losses for the Warriors, with an immediate revenge opportunity less than 48 hours later. The KPA faithful missed out on ice cream, because the Warriors failed to eclipse triple digits.
Key led the Warriors with 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Javan Johnson added 22 points and Blake Hinson chipped in 17 points, with 5 rebounds.
Three Herd hoopers tallied 28 points: Ellenson also gathered 18 rebounds; Thompson grabbed 10 rebounds and James Akinjo delivered 6 assists. One other player made the double-figures plateau, Justise Winslow scored 14 points and snatched five rebounds.
The two combatants will play Game 2 of this miniseries on Friday, March 7 at 7:00 PM PT inside of the friendly confines of Kaiser Permanente Arena
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