College Article Feature: Stars Close Season with Win Behind Abmas’ Career Night

Written by Andrew Chardack | University of Utah

(March 24, 2026) - The Salt Lake City Stars closed out the 2025-26 season with a 131-119 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, led by a 40-point career performance from Max Abmas.

Abmas came out red hot, scoring the Stars’ first 11 points as Salt Lake City built early momentum and never looked back, closing the first quarter with a 15-point lead. The Stars continued their strong play into the second quarter, pushing the pace, putting pressure on the Warriors’ defense, and efficiently knocking down open three-point looks. They entered halftime ahead 80-61, shooting 64% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Abmas led the way with 25 first-half points, including 7 three-pointers.

In the third quarter, Salt Lake City’s shooting cooled, allowing the Warriors to respond with a 15-0 run that cut the deficit to single digits. However, the Stars answered back to close out the quarter behind Dereon Seabron and Matthew Cleveland, who helped carry the scoring load. Despite continued pushes from Santa Cruz, Salt Lake City consistently adjusted and responded. Abmas remained in rhythm throughout, helping the Stars secure the 131-119 victory.

Abmas delivered a standout performance in the season finale, finishing with 40 points on 10-of-14 shooting from three, along with 6 assists and a team-high +22 rating. His spacing and decision-making were key, as he consistently found open spots and knocked down shots without forcing opportunities.

Following the game, head coach Rick Higgins praised Abmas’ ability to stay hot while remaining within the flow of the offense. “He provides a very steady personality to the group. He’s got far more toughness than people know,” Higgins said.

Seabron also played a major role, finishing with 28 points, while Cleveland added 21 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. The Warriors showed a balanced effort, led by Taevion Kinsey with 22 points.

The win reflected the identity Stars management is building. As general manager Katie Benzan described, the goal is a “competitive, tough, fun-to-watch, fast-paced, sharing the ball team.” Benzan, the youngest female general manager in NBA G League history, is in her first season alongside head coach Rick Higgins, as both continue to build a strong foundation. Tonight offered a glimpse of where this group is headed.

The Stars finish the season with a 14-22 record and will look to build on their progress as they shift focus to the offseason.