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Health & Fitness

Warriors sweep visiting Toros

Steph Curry makes special visit to watch younger brother play.

It was a family affair at Kaiser Permanente as Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors paid a visit to Santa Cruz to watch his younger brother Seth help lead his own Warriors team to victory over the Austin Toros, 117-103.

Seth finished the contest with 10 points and 11 assists, recording his first double-double of the season.  His 11 assists ties a franchise record set by Stefhon Hannah last season. Dewayne Dedmon, on assignment from Golden State, finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Curry worked harder to earn his stat line tonight after putting up a franchise record 36 points in the season opener,

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"(Austin) were just more conscious of where I was at all times," said Curry, "They were a lot more aggressive on my ball screens."

Though playing in front of a superstar sibling might provide enough pressure for someone, Seth feels the most pressure from another family member,

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"My mom, not even close," Curry said.

Making his Santa Cruz debut this season, Hilton Armstrong returned to Kaiser Permanente Arena Sunday night, happy to return to the team,

"Santa Cruz is amazing, the people, the fans have welcomed me with open arms.  I'm just happy to be back, it's a beautiful city," Armstrong said.

Armstrong finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds.  He also had five turnovers, most of which came after questionable offensive calls were made, and also was on the receiving end of a technical foul in the third quarter after arguing with an official,

"That's how the game goes sometimes, I lost my cool earlier in the game and I know I have to be professional," said Armstrong. 

Curry's minutes were limited early as he began the game in foul trouble for the second consecutive contest.  He found his rhythm in the second half scoring seven points in the third quarter.  Seth's older brother was impressed by his sibling's performance. 

"Hopefully he gets a call-up and continues his progress," Steph Curry said. 

The Santa Cruz Warriors couldn't have put a better stat-line together if they tried.  Three players, including Curry had double-doubles, while Nemanja Nedovic, on assignment from Golden State, was lights-out and put his talent on display scoring 31 points on 9 of 12 shooting, including 18 points in the first half alone.   He was perfect behind the three-point line, sinking all four of his attempts.    

Playing in a limited capacity as a member of the Golden State roster, Nedovic was able to put together a stellar performance for the Santa Cruz crowd,

"It was important for my confidence, it was important for me to get those minutes," said Nedovic.

Warriors coach Casey Hill knew what Nedovic was capable of after watching him develop over the summer with Golden State,

"I kind of expected something like that out of him," said Hill. "I'd say that (Nedovic) had a successful trip to Santa Cruz."

Center Eric Dawson was the high scorer for the Toros with 22 points on 50 percent field goal shooting.  He also collected 11 rebounds for the night, securing a double-double in the process.

It was a tight game early with the officials calling 19 personal fouls in the first quarter, 12 on the Toros.  Austin shot 52 percent from the field, but still trailed 26-28 after the first quarter as Santa Cruz shot 8 for 11 from the free-throw line, which kept them in the game early despite only shooting 32 percent from the field. 

The Warriors opened up the second quarter with a 13 to 6 run as the addition of Nedovic for tonight's game proved useful as he facilitated the transition offense for most of the game.  The Warriors scored 11 fast break points as opposed to the Toros who scored a mere 4 points,

"Transition points are huge in the D-League," said Hill, "That's something I'm trying to get our team to do."

The Warriors finished the half leading 58-47 and never trailed the rest of the way. 

The Warriors poured it on in the third, where they lead by 20 to end the quarter after shooting four for six from three-point range.  Nedovic led all scorers with eight points for the quarter. 

The Warriors cruised in the fourth quarter, not relinquishing the lead despite a 10-3 by the Toros late in the fourth quarter that proved to be too little too late. 

When asked about the possibility of a championship for Santa Cruz this year, Armstrong didn't hesitate to answer,

"That's not even a question.  I think we're definitely the top contenders right now," Armstrong said.

The Warriors continue their homestand Tuesday night against the Reno Bighorns.  Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. 





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