Guard Jeremy Pargo scored 32 points — the first Santa Cruz player to eclipse 30 in a game this season — but the Warriors’ defense, fittingly, stole the spotlight Tuesday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

The Warriors nabbed a franchise-record 20 steals against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in their 122-112 win over the defending NBA G League champions.

Santa Cruz (2-1) produced 43 points off 28 RGV turnovers.

Pargo shot 65% from the field (13-of-20 FG) with four 3-pointers. The Warriors finished 12-of-38 shooting (31.6%) from beyond the arc — the first time they’ve shot better than 30% through three games. They were 9 of 36 (35%) and 4 of 18 (22.2%) on 3-point attempts in their previous two games.

Santa Cruz’s bench, led by guard Andrew Harrison’s 19 points and six assists, combined for 51 points. Reserve swingman Devyn Marble totaled 16 points and six steals, one theft shy of the Warriors franchise record, in 23 minutes.

The Vipers were led by Houston Rockets assignee Isaiah Hartenstein’s 26 points and 15 rebounds on 66.7% shooting (10-of-15 FG). Two-way guard Chris Clemons had 24 points on seven 3-pointers (41.2%) with a game-high eight assists, and Rockets assignment player Gary Clark had 18 points in 37 minutes.

The Warriors jumped out to a 35-25 first quarter lead thanks to guard Vander Blue’s 10 points to open the game. Forward D.J. Johnson kept the team afloat, logging a team-high 12 points and 11 rebounds (eight offensive) in the first half to help Santa Cruz to a narrow 58-56 lead.

Rio Grande Valley set up a dramatic final period by ending the third quarter on an 8-2 run to take an 83-82 lead, thanks to 15 combined points by Hartenstein and Clemons in the period. The Warriors let loose in the final stanza, scoring 40 points in the frame thanks to Pargo’s 13 points on three made 3s, and Harrison added 10 points and five assists in the period to secure the win.

The Warriors conclude their two-game Texas road trip Friday night against the Austin Spurs. Santa Cruz returns to Kaiser Permanente Arena on Sunday to host the Salt Lake City Stars at 5 p.m.

The Score

Warriors 122, Vipers 112

Up next: Warriors at Austin

When: Friday, 5:30 p.m.

TV: NBS+