The shorthanded Santa Cruz Warriors, with only four eligible players on their bench, showcased plenty of oomph Saturday as they took over sole possession of first place in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division.

A night after knocking of Southeast Division leader Lakeland on the road, the Warriors jumped ahead big and held on to beat host Greensboro 116-102 in the teams’ NBA G League game.

Guard Quinn Cook, a two-way player, led Santa Cruz with 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in front of 2,118 fans at The Fieldhouse in North Carolina.

With their third straight win by 10 or more points, the Warriors (15-10) leapfrogged South Bay (14-10) in the Pacific Division after the Lakers fell to Oklahoma City 110-99 later Saturday.

The Warriors didn’t suit up Terrence Jones, who is out with a shoulder injury, CJ Wilcox, who is having knee surgery, Chris Boucher, Michael Gbinije and Najeal Young.

Forward Georges Niang and center Damian Jones, on assignment from Golden State, each finished with five fouls, but the Warriors didn’t have to rely heavily on its depleted bench.

Santa Cruz, the league’s top team in field-goal percentage, shot 32 percent from beyond the arc and 53 percent from the field (42 of 80).

Cook made three of his team’s nine 3-pointers.

Niang had 21 points and five assists. Winston Shepard scored 17 points in 27 minutes off the bench and starting forward Alex Hamilton had 11 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Jones and guard Damion Lee each scored 14 points and finished with double-doubles. Lee had 11 rebounds and Jones added 10 as the Warriors outrebounded the Swarm 55-40.

The Warriors finished with 30 assists and 16 turnovers.

Warriors faithful will have to get up early to watch the team’s next two games at the G League Showcase in Mississauga, Ontario. Santa Cruz faces Grand Rapids (13-13) on Wednesday at 9 a.m. and Raptors 905 (13-10) on Thursday at 9 a.m. to conclude their season-long, six-game road trip.

Swarm guard Cat Barber led his team with 23 points. Sam Thompson helped the cause in the losing effort with 21 points in as many minutes off the bench.

Two Greensboro players recorded double-doubles: center Mangok Mathiang had 16 points and 11 rebounds and guard Marcus Paige had 13 points and 10 assists. Both are two-way players for Charlotte.

Starting forward Terry Henderson finished with 14 points for the Swarm, who dropped their fourth straight game.

Contact Jim Seimas at 831-706-3256.