Six players scored in double figures to send the Santa Cruz Warriors into the D-League playoffs with their sixth straight victory, a 127-117 win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Friday night in front of the 30th consecutive sellout crowd at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
Damian Jones, on assignment from the Golden State Warriors, led all scorers with a season-high 25 points and added seven rebounds and five blocks.
Jabari Brown came off the bench for Santa Cruz (31-19) to contribute 21 points and five boards, while Cleanthony Early added 19 points and seven rebounds.
LaDontae Henton (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Alex Hamilton (15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds) both had double-doubles for the Warriors, who will start the playoffs on Wednesday night at home at 6:30 p.m. against either Los Angeles or the Oklahoma City Blue.
The Warriors, also winners of 12 of their last 14 games, jumped on the D-Fenders (33-16) by tying the franchise record for first-quarter points with 41. Santa Cruz shot 62.1 percent from the field in the opening frame, while limiting the D-Fenders to 21.7 percent shooting, to seize a 41-17 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Warriors never looked back, leading by 12 at the half and 16 at the end of the third.
