Agua Caliente Takes Round Two Over South Bay in Showcase Cup Finale

EL SEGUNDO – In the second of a two-game series this week, the Agua Caliente Clippers defeated the South Bay Lakers, 123-106, on Thursday night at the UCLA Health Training Center. Moses Wright’s career-high 33 points fueled Agua Caliente’s comeback and evened the season series at one apiece.p

It was a tale of two halves Thursday night as the Lakers jumped out to an early 9-4 lead and held a narrow advantage after one quarter, 26-20, thanks to Paris Bass notching 10 points (4-6 FG) and Cameron Oliver pitching in eight points (4-6 FG).

Frank Mason III, in his first game back after missing the last five due to a neck strain, fueled the bench unit with nine of his career-high 21 points on the night coming in the second quarter. South Bay exploded for 39 points in the second frame to extend their lead to 15 and go into halftime with a commanding 65-50 lead.

The Clippers fought back in the second half, coming out of the break on a 18-9 run. Xavier Moon had a strong third quarter with 10 points as the Clippers chipped away at South Bay’s lead to make it a seven-point game going into the final frame.

Agua Caliente continued their push with a dominant fourth quarter led by Moses Wright, who had 14 of his 33 points in the final 12 minutes of play. The Clippers outscored the Lakers 38-14 in the fourth quarter to take the lead and secure the victory handily, 123-106.

Moses Wright was a force in the paint all night for the Clippers, notching a career-high 33 points on 15-22 field goal shooting to go with 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Keaton Wallace (20 points, 11 rebounds), Xavier Moon (16 points, 16 assists) and George King (14 points, 12 rebounds) also recorded double-doubles to help Agua Caliente overcome South Bay.

Cameron Oliver topped his 2021 season highs with 21 points (8-15 FG) and four blocks while Mason Jones followed up his career-high 30-point performance Tuesday night with 18 points (6-12 FG) and nine assists. Frank Mason III was efficient off the bench, making eight of his 12 field goal attempts for a career-high 21 points.

South Bay will travel to Las Vegas for the NBA G League Winter Showcase taking place from December 19-22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Game times are to be determined.

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The NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers, the first franchise in G League history to be owned by an NBA team (Los Angeles Lakers) will celebrate their 15th anniversary during the 2021-22 season. The South Bay franchise has established itself as a top producer of NBA-ready talent, totaling 36 NBA Call-Ups and developing 26 Lakers assignment players since the inaugural 2006-07 season. South Bay has claimed two division titles and has twice competed in the NBA G League Finals.