South Bay Falls In Final Seconds To The Legends

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Despite a career night from seven-foot-one center Jay Huff, the South Bay Lakers (17-10), the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers, suffered a narrow home defeat to the Texas Legends (16-14), 113-112, on Tuesday at the UCLA Health Training Center.

South Bay came out attacking the basket tonight, scoring 24 of their 29 first-quarter points in the paint. Huff knocked down his first five shots and scored 14 points in the first half to help the Lakers hold a narrow lead heading into the midway break, 55-53.

A back-and-forth third quarter ensued with Legends forward Justin Jackson making all four of his shot attempts for 10 points, while South Bay forward Chaundee Brown Jr. fought back with eight points of his own. The Lakers controlled the glass in the third frame, outrebounding the Legends by a 16-5 margin, and the home team held a one-possession lead going into the final 12 minutes, 84-83.

Texas’ two-way forward Moses Wright, coming off a dominant 30-point performance on Sunday, fueled the Legends all night long and dropped 16 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter. The game came down to the wire, and a pair of free throws from Texas guard Carlik Jones with 0.8 seconds left in regulation gave the Legends the victory, 113-112.

Huff tied his career-high with 27 points on a career-high 12 made field goals to go with nine rebounds. Brown Jr. recorded his third double-double of the season, tallying 22 points (9-12 FG) and 10 rebounds. Fellow starter Mac McClung had a solid all-around night with nine points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Tremont Waters led all bench scorers with 16 points and four steals.

South Bay will return to the floor Friday night as they take on the Austin Spurs, the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, at 7:00 P.M. PT at the UCLA Health Training Center.