South Bay Splits Series With Santa Cruz

The South Bay Lakers played their fourteenth game of the season against the Santa Cruz Warriors as they won, 126-118, on Wednesday night. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the Lakers (10-4) in scoring with 30 points. James Wiseman paced the Warriors (8-7), scoring 31 points.

Santa Cruz got off to a quick start, opening the game on a 17-2 run behind 11 early Wiseman points. South Bay, led by their defense, started to fight their way back into the game. A 10-point boost of the bench from Pippen Jr., as well as six from L.J. Figueroa helped the Lakers cut the lead to nine after one quarter. The second period was a tug-o-war as both teams continued to take jabs at each other. Three early shots from distance from South Bay cut Santa Cruz’s lead down to four early in the second frame. However, two Santa Cruz threes of their own from Lester Quinones stretched the lead back out to ten. The Lakers then came roaring back, ending the half on a 25-13 run to take a two-point lead, 68-66, into the half. Max Christie led the Lakers with 14 first half points. Wiseman and Quinones scored 19 and 17 points respectively.

Quarter three saw South Bay extend their lead, winning the period 39-29. Christie, Jay Huff and Pippen Jr. combined for over half of South Bay’s points in the quarter. Christie went four of four in the quarter, scoring 10 points. Wiseman and Quinones continued to lead the way for Santa Cruz, scoring eight and seven points each. The Lakers led 107-95 going into the final period.

The Lakers continued their stellar play on both ends in the final frame, building their lead to as many as 15 in the period. A late run from the Warriors cut the lead down marginally. South Bay finished victorious with a final score of 128-116.

Christie put together a final line of 24 points and seven rebounds, including six made threes, tied for the most of any Laker this season. Pippen Jr. added 30 points and five assists. Huff contributed 20 points seven rebounds, and two blocks. For the Warriors, Wiseman put up 30 points and six rebounds. Quinones added 24 points while Gui Santos scored 17 of his own.

South Bay’s next game will be against the Stockton Kings on Saturday, December 17 at 5:00pm from the UCLA Health and Training Center.