South Bay Lakers Sweep Ignite

The South Bay Lakers played in their seventh NBA G League Winter Showcase Cup game against the NBA G League Ignite as they won, 150-126, on Sunday night. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the Lakers (4-3) in scoring with 27 points. Ronald Holland II paced the Ignite (0-7), scoring 24 points.

South Bay started with a similar verve to the previous evening behind big man Colin Castleton, who scored seven quick points in the opening three minutes. The Ignite kept the first quarter more competitive with Ronald Holland II scoring six early points. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Bryce Hamilton got involved late in the quarter, both scoring eight. South Bay led after one, 38-28

The Ignite got off to a hot start in the second, putting together an 8-2 run and cutting the Lakers lead down to just three. The rest of the period continued to be back and forth until South Bay went on a 22-8 run to close the quarter. Pippen Jr. led the Lakers at the break with 16 points and seven assists. It wasn’t just Pippen Jr. however, with all five South Bay starters in double-figures after two. Holland II continued his stellar game, putting up 24 points in the half. South Bay led 79-61 going into the break. 

The Lakers started the third period on 16-2 run to extend their lead to 32 in the opening four minutes of the quarter and never looked back. Pippen Jr. had another monster quarter, tallying 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. South Bay led 117-85 after three.

A big 10-point fourth quarter performance for former UConn guard Joey Calcaterra brought South Bay down the home stretch in the final frame. The Lakers came out victorious, 150-126.

Pippen Jr. recorded his first career triple-double, totaling 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals in 31 minutes. Hamilton finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 26 minutes. Weatherspoon added 21 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes. Castleton finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 23 minutes, good for his third double-double of the season. For the Ignite, Holland II finished with 24 points and four boards, while John Jenkins added 18 points. 

South Bay will travel to Utah to face the Salt Lake City Stars, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. from the Maverik Center.