The South Bay Lakers kicked off the 2017-18 season in thrilling fashion with a 138-135 overtime win over Santa Cruz. The Lakers (1-0) were down by as many as 19 points in the second half, but stormed back to win the game behind strong performances from reigning league MVP Vander Blue, Lakers assignment player Thomas Bryant and former Warrior Scott Machado.
In the two-minute overtime period it was Machado who hit the first bucket against his former team to give the Lakers the lead for good. The Warriors (1-1) appeared to tie the game after a goaltending call on the next possession but a challenge from South Bay Head Coach Coby Karl gave the officials time to determine that Bryant’s block was good and the Lakers never looked back.
South Bay hit their free throws down the stretch and played good defense to secure the victory in their opening game.
A strong performance from the charity stripe (31-37) and a balanced scoring attack paced South Bay as seven Lakers scored in double figures, led by Blue’s 25. The Warriors were led by guard Quinn Cook, who scored 35, and Golden State assignee Damian Jones, who pitched in 18 points and four blocks before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
South Bay will be home for the inaugural regular season game in the UCLA Health Training Center on Wednesday, November 8 at 7 against the Warriors.
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