Santa Cruz Warriors forward Javan Johnson finished with a season-best 22 points in a 121-118 overtime loss to the Valley Suns at Mullett Arena on Thursday night.
Johnson drained six 3-pointers, while teammate Kevin Knox II followed closely behind with 20 points and nine rebounds. Yuri Collins recorded his third double-double of the season, finishing with a game-high 14 assists to go along with 11 points and three steals for Santa Cruz.
Warriors two-way guard Reece Beekman and forward Jackson Rowe each contributed 16 points. Marcus Burk and Blake Hinson scored 25 combined points off the bench, notching 15 points and 10 points, respectively.
Valley Suns guard Paul Watson led all scorers with 29 points, and David Stockton finished with 18 points and four assists. Cassius Stanley contributed 16 points and five rebounds off the bench for Valley.
Other top scorers for the Suns included Tyrese Samuel with 14 points, followed by Jaden Shackelford (12 points) and forward Moses Wood (11).
The Warriors started the game red-hot, connecting on their first six field goal attempts while the Suns had nine turnovers in the first quarter. Santa Cruz nailed seven shots from behind the arc, giving them a 38-24 lead after the first 12 minutes of play.
In the second stanza, the visiting Sea Dubs built a 19-point advantage—their largest lead of the game. The Suns managed to chip away at the deficit but they still trailed 67-58 going into halftime.
After trailing by 14 points with 3:45 left in the third quarter, the Suns rattled off an 8-0 run to pull within six at 90-84. Johnson’s sixth 3-pointer of the game halted the Valley’s attack, helping Santa Cruz take a 10-point advantage going into the final frame.
The Suns started the final period with a 14-0 run to take their first lead at 102-98 with less than six minutes remaining to play. Santa Cruz orchestrated a 10-2 run to tie the score at 114 at the end of regulation, forcing the game into overtime.
Shackelford scored seven points in the extra period for Valley en route to victory.
Santa Cruz (4-5) plays at Rip City Remix in Portland on Dec. 7 and 9. The Sea Dubs return to Santa Cruz for a back-to-back series against the San Diego Clippers on Dec. 14 and 15 to close out the Tip-Off Tournament.
