The Oklahoma City Blue (24-9) defeated the Santa Cruz Warriors (24-9), 116-102, on Friday night.

The Blue held a double-digit lead for much of the second half, but a floater from the Warriors’ Kendrick Nunn with under three minutes left in the game cut the lead to 105-96. Bryce Alford responded with a three-pointer to put Oklahoma City back up by 12.

Alford shot 6-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, for 17 points to go along with four assists and three rebounds off the bench. Chris Wright led all Oklahoma City reserves with 18 points and six rebounds.

“I thought we played great half-court defense and really made them earn everything they got,” Head Coach Mark Daigneault said. “It was a great team win [and] we got contributions from a lot of guys.”

Oklahoma City led 27-22 after the first quarter, but opened the second on a 14-5 run, powered by eight points from K.J. McDaniels. Oklahoma City took its largest lead of the first half at 16 points after a steal and a dunk from two-way player Deonte Burton.

McDaniels finished with 14 points and six rebounds, while Burton scored 21 points with five rebounds and three assists. It was Burton’s second consecutive game with 20-plus points and fifth of the season.

The Blue won the rebounding battle, 45-44, and outscored the Warriors 64-58 in the paint. Two-way player Damion Lee led the Warriors with 29 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Oklahoma City will begin a three-game road trip on Sunday, Feb. 3 at the Sioux Falls Skyforce at 1 p.m. in the Sanford Pentagon.