EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The South Bay Lakers staged their biggest comeback of the season Sunday night, erasing an 18-point deficit to defeat the Santa Cruz Warriors, 108–105, at UCLA Health Training Center and remain unbeaten at home.
Nick Smith Jr., Drew Timme and R.J. Davis led the way with 22 points each. Smith Jr. shot 7-of-16 from the field and hit six of seven free throws, while Timme added five rebounds and went 3-of-4 from deep. Davis provided a spark off the bench, knocking down seven of 14 shots and adding three blocks.
Two-way center Christian Koloko recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 14 rebounds, a steal and a block. Lakers forward Adou Thiero, on assignment with South Bay, also reached double figures with 12 points, four rebounds and four assists.
After trailing 61-54 at halftime and falling behind by as many as 18 in the second quarter, South Bay flipped the game defensively. The Lakers held Santa Cruz to just 31.8 percent shooting and 15.4 percent from three in the fourth quarter while outscoring the Warriors 25-18. It was the first time this season South Bay entered the fourth quarter trailing and the win improved the team to 2-0 in games decided by three points or fewer.
Santa Cruz had five players finish in double figures, led by LJ Cryer’s 25 points and seven assists. Marques Bolden added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Ja’Vier Francis contributed 14 points and seven boards off the bench. Trey Galloway scored 13 and Taevion Kinsey added 10.
Now 5-1 overall and 5-0 at home, South Bay heads on the road for a six-game swing beginning Saturday, Nov. 29, against the San Diego Clippers. The team returns home Saturday, Dec. 13, to face the Rip City Remix.