South Bay Lakers Fall in Santa Cruz Series

The South Bay Lakers played in their thirteenth NBA G League Winter Showcase Cup game against the Santa Cruz Warriors as they lost, 130-112, on Thursday night. Bryce Hamilton and Damion Baugh led the Lakers (7-6) in scoring with 23 points each. Devon Williams paced the Warriors (9-4), scoring 29 points.

The first frame started with a similar competitive nature that Tuesday night’s game ended with. Five first quarter steals helped the Lakers grab some easy buckets in transition. South Bay led after one, 36-28.

South Bay’s stellar defense continued into the second period, as they started the quarter on a 13-5 run. Santa Cruz instantly responded with 12-2 run of their own to cut South Bay’s lead down to six. The Warriors continued to find their offensive rhythm and completely flipped the script and the flow of the game. Quinndary Weatherspoon led the Lakers at the break with 17 points. Donovan Williams put up 22 first half points for Santa Cruz. South Bay trailed 62-72. 

The Lakers started the third period on 7-0 run to get back within striking distance. The Warriors regained control towards the end of the period however and took a 101-87 lead into the final frame.

Santa Cruz’s Kendric Davis recorded 10 points in the opening five minutes of the final frame to help the Warriors bolster their lead. Despite competing until the bitter end, South Bay was unable to get over the hump in the end, dropping by a final score of 130-126.

Weatherspoon tallied 22 points, five assists, two rebounds, and a season-high three steals in 37 minutes. Bryce Hamilton finished with 21 points, two rebounds, and one assists in 35 minutes. Damion Baugh added 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes. For the Warriors, Williams finished with 29 points and six boards, while Davis added 28 points and 10 five assists. 

South Bay will play at home against the Ontario Clippers on, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. from the UCLA Health Training Center.