SALT LAKE CITY (February 3, 2022) — The South Bay Lakers used a stellar fourth quarter to pull away from the Salt Lake City Stars down the stretch, enroute to a 132-120 victory at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. on Thursday night.
Lakers guard Mac McClung was a force, leading the Lakers with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, notching his first career triple-double and helping the Lakers to their sixth win in their last seven games.
“We tried to focus on defense tonight. We know our defense fuels our offense, so we tried to lock down on that end to help out on the offensive end,” said McClung. “I have had a couple rough games, but I was just focused on coming in and getting it corrected. I know I can’t stay down too long.”
The Stars were paced by big man Yoeli Childs, who dominated the glass on both ends of the floor on his way to a career-high 31 points, while tying his career-high in rebounds with 12.
Thursday night’s contest was back-and-forth throughout the evening, featuring 16 ties and 16 lead changes. The Stars scored 14 points off 11 first half turnovers by the Lakers and led 65-64 at the break.
Chaundee Brown Jr. scored 10 of his team-high 30 points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers and Paris Bass added 21 points off the bench, including a converted and-one off a driving layup that stretched the Laker lead to 123-115 with 2:48 remaining, essentially icing the game for South Bay.
Derrick Alston Jr. continued his hot-streak for Salt Lake City, scoring 24 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field. Alston Jr. has averaged 21.4 points a game over the last five games for the Stars.
Jared Wilson-Frame knocked down four shots from behind the arch on his way to 24 points for the visiting Stars, while Gerard Tarin added 10 points off the bench.
The two teams will be right back at it again tomorrow night for round two of their two-game set. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. from the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. The game will stream on NBAGLeague.com.