AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Spurs (2-0), presented by SWBC, defeated the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League Western Conference Finals 104-93 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Thursday night and advanced to the 2017-18 NBA G League Finals.

Derrick White, on assignment from San Antonio, led the team with 35 points (13-24 FG, 5-10 3FG, 4-4 FT) and 7 rebounds in 33 minutes. Two-way player Darrun Hilliard added 20 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds in 33 minutes. In addition, two-way player Matt Costello contributed 6 points, 6 rebounds and a career-high 11 blocked shots.

For the Lakers (2-1), two-way player Gary Payton II led the team with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks in 37 minutes, while two-way player Alex Caruso contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in 28 minutes.

Austin came out hot going on a 9-0 run to begin the game but South Bay countered with a 13-5 run mid-way into the quarter. The Lakers closed the Spurs’ lead by winning the second quarter 27-24 and went into halftime tied 51-51. In the second half, Derrick White helped Austin regain the lead with two early three pointers that went into a 14-3 run to begin the second half and forced Lakers to miss 9 of their first 10 shots.

Austin’s defense held South Bay to only 18 percent from the field in the third quarter. Despite a late South Bay push, Austin held on to win the Western Conference Finals.