Jacksen Moni was one of three Santa Cruz Warriors to record a double-double on Sunday. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)

By Michael Roberson

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.. — The Santa Cruz Warriors (13-14) fell below .500 after dropping their second consecutive game 113-104, to the South Bay Lakers (19-8), inside a sold out Kaiser Permanente Arena.

The Lakers also won March 6 by 21 points (131-110) at KPA. Coincidentally, the parent teams faced off at Chase Center, February 28, with the LA Lakers defeating the GS Warriors in blowout fashion, 129-101.

The SC Warriors got the contest started with a 5-0 run, including a THREE from the corner.. They also parlayed to their largest lead of the game (7). However, the Lakers did respond during the initial 12 minutes of play.

Santa Cruz was able to hold onto that lead throughout the quarter, but by the skin of their teeth at the horn. After one quarter of play, the home team led by one, 25-24.

The second period is when the visitors from Southern California made their move, They swung a 1-point deficit to a 15-point advantage by halftime. Superstar offspring, Bronny James Jr. was in double figures (11) at recess, hitting three bombs from beyond the arc. He had two teammates join him at that plateau, Nick Smith Jr. had 13 points and 6 assists, and forward Adou Thiero chipped in 10 points.

SCW had a lone hooper that fit those qualifications. Taevion Kinsey put up ten points by recess time. The Lakers were up 67-52 after 24 minutes of game play. The Lakers were up by as many as 16 points in the second period, and there were five lead changes and six ties during that time period.

After intermission, the Warriors found themselves down by 22 points during the third quarter, continued to fight. there was no change in the lead change or tie meter.. After 36 minutes of regulation, SCW’s deficit was at 20 points, 99-79.

In the final quadrant, the deficit for the Sea Dubs was ballooned to a high of 25 points. However, the Warriors had one last burst of energy to cut into the negative margin. They went on an incredibly 16-0 run to close out the game. Unfortunately for them, being down by 25 only puts a dent into their hole on the scoreboard. At the end of regulation, the Warriors did make it respectable by cutting SBL’s lead to single digits (9), but it was a consolation prize.

After 48 minutes of G-League action, the South Baand Marques Bolden offered 12 points and 13 rebounds.Taevion Kinsey (14) Lakers swept the weekend series, by taking the final game, 113-104.

The Warriors entire starting lineup was in double-figures scoring. Led by Charles Bassey with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Chance McMillian 14 points and 5 assists, Jackson Moni 14 points and 11 rebounds,

The Lakers also had five double-digit scorers. Adou Thiereo topped them with 25 points and six rebounds. Three players had 15 points: Bronny James Jr., Chris Manon and Nick Smith Jr.. Anton Watson tallied 10 points and 6 rebounds.

The Warriors will next be in action March 13 in Cleveland, as they take on the Cleveland Charge for a two-game series (13 & 14) at 4 PM PT and 7 PM ET. The Lakers head back to So-Cal and host the Iowa Wolves on March 11 and 13 Both games will be at 7 PM PT on SNLA.