SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Interstat) — The Santa Cruz Warriors, fueled by a dominant fourth-quarter performance and a standout night from Chance McMillian, overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 123-115 in a G League matchup Saturday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

The game turned decisively in the final period. The Warriors, who entered the fourth quarter trailing 97-91, outscored the Vipers 32-18 over the final 12 minutes. A critical 11-2 run early in the quarter, capped by a Jordan Hall 3-pointer, gave Santa Cruz a lead it would not relinquish. The Warriors’ defense tightened significantly, forcing several key turnovers and holding Rio Grande Valley to just 18 points in the quarter after the Vipers had scored at least 31 in each of the first three.

Santa Cruz guard Chance McMillian, a Vallejo, California native, led all scorers and orchestrated the comeback. His driving floater with 3:22 remaining pushed the Warriors’ lead to six points, and he iced the game in the final minute by sinking four consecutive free throws, including one from a technical foul. McMillian’s all-around play was pivotal in the closing stretch.

The Vipers, who fell to 28-19, had controlled much of the game’s tempo through three quarters. Point guard Daishen Nix and forward Tristen Newton provided consistent offense, helping Rio Grande Valley build a 64-59 halftime lead. The team’s ball movement and scoring balance seemed to have them in command, but their offense stalled against a more aggressive Santa Cruz defense in the final frame.

Santa Cruz center Marques Bolden was a force in the paint, contributing on both ends with several key blocks and rebounds during the Warriors’ fourth-quarter surge. His interior presence altered numerous Vipers attempts as they tried to mount a late comeback.

The victory improved the Warriors’ record to 15-31 and served as a measure of revenge after a loss to the same Vipers team just two days prior on their home floor. The win was characterized by resilience, as Santa Cruz weathered Rio Grande Valley’s efficient offensive bursts and found another gear when it mattered most.

The most important part of the game was Santa Cruz’s defensive transformation in the fourth quarter. After allowing 97 points through three quarters, the Warriors clamped down, generating turnovers and contesting every shot. This defensive intensity fueled their transition game and allowed them to seize momentum during the game-deciding 11-2 run, completely shifting the contest’s trajectory in their favor.

Rio Grande Valley will look to rebound on the road against the Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday. Santa Cruz continues a busy stretch with a road game against the Stockton Kings on Sunday.