SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz jumped out to an early lead, but the South Bay Lakers responded and produced 34 or more points in each of the first three quarters to blast the host Warriors 131-110 in NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday night.
With the loss, the Warriors (13-13) dropped to the ninth spot in the Western Conference standings, one game behind Sioux Falls (15-13), with 10 games remaining. The top eight teams in each conference advance to the playoffs.
The Lakers (18-8) moved into sole possession of second place behind conference leading Mexico City (19-8).
Santa Cruz host South Bay on Sunday at 5 p.m. before embarking on a three-game road trip.
Santa Cruz Warriors guard Chance McMillian shoots a layup while the South Bay Lakers’ Arthur Kaluma defends during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors center Charles Bassey gets a piece of R.J. Davis’s shot shot during an NBA G League game against the visiting South Bay Lakers at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors guard Chance McMillian shoots against South Bay Lakers during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors center Charles Bassey dunks against the South Bay Lakers during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors guard Taevion Kinsey shoots against the South Bay Lakers during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors center Marques Bolden drives against Tevian Jones of the South Bay Lakers during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors guard Deivon Smith shoots over Anton Watson of the South Bay Lakers during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors guard Deivon Smith shoots while defended by the South Bay Lakers’ Malik Williams during the NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors guard Franco Miller competes for a rebound against Nick Smith of the South Bay Lakers during the NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz Warriors forward Jack Clark shoots a 3-pointer while defended by Zach Hicks of the South Bay Lakers during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
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Santa Cruz Warriors guard Chance McMillian shoots a layup while the South Bay Lakers’ Arthur Kaluma defends during NBA G League action at KP Arena on Friday. (John Lee – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
The Warriors will need a better all-around performance to secure a different outcome. They shot 44.8% (39 of 87) from the field, were outrbeounded 42-40 and committed 16 turnovers.
Center Charles Bassey continued to be a force for the Warriors and recorded his 10th consecutive double-double. He finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks.
Santa Cruz guard Chance McMillian tallied 19 points and five assists, and guard Taevion Kinsey scored 18 points. Center Marques Bolden finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. Forward Jacksen Moni added 12 points and guard Deivon Smith contributed 10 points and four rebounds.
South Bay shot 52.2% (47 of 90) from the field and made 20 3-pointers. It led by as many as 32 points in its blowout. Guard RJ Davis made six 3-pointers and score a game-high 30 points.
Lakers center Malik Williams recorded a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double, and two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. had 22 points and eight assists. Forward Arthur Kaluma also notched a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and forward Anton Watson totaled 14 points and eight assists.
THE SCORE
Lakers 131, Warriors 110
Up next: South Bay at Santa Cruz
When: Sunday, 5 p.m.
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area