South Bay Advances to Semifinals of Showcase Cup Tournament with Victory Over Wisconsin

In the opening game of the 2021 G League Winter Showcase Cup Tournament, the South Bay Lakers (fourth seed) defeated the Wisconsin Herd (fifth seed), 119-112, on Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. All Lakers starters scored in double digits to help South Bay advance to the semifinals of the Showcase Cup Tournament. See stats and box score

South Bay came out hot to start the game, sinking five of their first seven baskets to take an early 14-7 lead. Frank Mason III led the team in the first quarter with eight points on 3-3 field-goal shooting, but the Herd fought back to tie the game at 25 apiece after 12 minutes of play.

A back-and forth battle ensued in the second frame with eight lead changes. Mason Jones provided a spark off the bench for the Lakers, scoring eight of his team-high 24 points in the second quarter while Wisconsin’s Jalen Lecque paced the Herd with eight of his team-high 22 points coming in the second quarter as well. South Bay held a narrow 57-55 lead going into halftime.

The Lakers came out of the break firing on all cylinders with guard Nate Pierre-Louis nailing two three-pointers to ignite a 15-5 South Bay run. The Lakers extended their lead to as much as 14 in the quarter and took a commanding 97-84 lead going into the final frame.

Wisconsin did not go down without a fight, however, as the Herd cut South Bay’s lead to as little as three with 50 seconds left to play. The Lakers made a couple clutch baskets in the final minute and held on for the victory, 119-112.

Mason Jones led all scorers with 24 points (8-15 FG) off the bench for the Lakers to go with seven rebounds and six assists. South Bay big man Paris Bass had a dominant all-around performance on Sunday, tallying 23 points (10-15 FG, 3-4 3PT) and a career-high 18 rebounds. Nate Pierre-Louis (19 points, 5-7 3PT), Frank Mason III (20 points, eight assists) and Cameron Oliver (14 points, nine rebounds) all played key roles in the Lakers win.

South Bay will take on the winner of today’s Delaware Blue Coats (first seed) vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants (eighth seed) matchup in the semifinals of NBA G League Winter Showcase Cup Tournament on Tuesday, December 21 at 2:00 P.M. PT on ESPNU at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.