South Bay Secures a Comeback Victory Over OKC

EL SEGUNDO – In the first of two games against Oklahoma City this weekend, the South Bay Lakers beat the visiting Blue, 104-101, on Saturday night. A trio of Lakers scored 20 points to lead South Bay (2-1) to their second win of the season. Oklahoma City (4-2) was led by 19 points from Tre Mann.

Oklahoma City got off to a strong start behind 12 first-quarter points from Mann as they held a 10-point lead, 37-27, through one frame. South Bay used their defense to get back in the game as they held the Blue to just 19 points in the second quarter and cut the halftime deficit, 56-53, to just three points. Mason Jones led all Lakers players with 10 points in the first half.

The Blue held on to their lead through three quarters, 81-77, despite 11 points in the third frame from Chaundee Brown Jr. who converted on 3-of-4 shots from three-point range in the period. Mason Jones had a strong performance in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his points in the final 12 minutes, to help South Bay secure the victory.

Mann’s 19 points paced the Blue, while Rob Edwards and Melvin Frazier Jr. scored 17 points apiece off the bench. Theo Maledon scored 14 points with six assists and Paul Watson added 11 points for Oklahoma City.

Brown Jr. led the way for South Bay with 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block and Jones finished the night with 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals off the bench. Stanley Johnson tallied 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and three steals in 32 minutes. Mac McClung also scored in double figures with 13 points.

South Bay will again face the Oklahoma City Blue tomorrow night at 5:00pm PT from the UCLA Health Training Center.