South Bay Lakers Outlast Wolves

The South Bay Lakers played their twenty-second regular season game against the Iowa Wolves as they won, 148-126, on Saturday night. Cole Swider led the Lakers (15-7) in scoring with a career-high 37 points. Emmanuel Mudiay paced the Wolves (6-15), scoring 26 points.

After missing their first seven shots of the opening period, South Bay found themselves in a 0-10 hole early on. Cole Swider then went on a solo 8-0 run to get the Lakers straight back into the game. South Bay’s offense got into a rhythm, but their inability to get defensive stops turned most of the opening period into a track meet. Swider led the way for the Lakers with 14 first quarter points. Around the mid- way point of the second quarter, South Bay was finally able to get some breathing room. Defensive stops led to transition baskets, while Swider continued his stellar shooting, going a perfect six-for-six from distance in the first half. For the Wolves, Randall II led the way with 14 in the half. The Lakers carried a, 78-66 lead into the break.

The third quarter was a game of runs. The Lakers and Swider picked up right where they left off, building their lead to as many 17 points. Iowa then went on a 27-17 run to close the quarter, cutting South Bay’s lead down to just five. Scotty Pippen Jr. got going in the third, scoring nine points in the quarter. Emmanuel Mudiay and D.J. Carton sparked the comeback for the Wolves, scoring nine and eight points respectively. South Bay led 113-108, going into the final period.

The opening of the fourth quarter was tense, with both teams fighting to take control of the game. Bryce Hamilton scored 10 straight points for the Lakers to give them an eight-point led with six minutes remaining. South Bay never relinquished that control, closing out the game strong. Hamilton’s 12 fourth quarter points were a major key in South Bay holding off Iowa down the stretch.

Swider put together a final line of 37 points on eight-made threes, both career highs. Pippen Jr. added 27 points off the bench. Hamilton contributed 17 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Shaq Harrison continued his stellar guard play with 12 points and 10 assists. For the Wolves, Mudiay scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Randall II and Wendell Moore Jr. scored 19 and 18 points respectively.

South Bay’s next game is against the Maine Celtics on Thursday, March 2, at 7:00pm from the UCLA Health Training Center