The Cruise were riding some momentum heading into take on the Lakers after their win in Ontario just a few nights earlier.
Sluggish Early Start
Motor had a couple of days off heading into this one, but you could really tell South Bay was refreshed and ready to go in the early goings. The Lakers put together a 5-0 that would up their lead to 12-7 midway through the opening quarter. They put together a 9-3 run late to hold a 25-18 advantage. Luckily the Cruise offense would get going enough to keep them within reach. It was 33-26, South Bay, after quarter one. Devontae Cacok got the blue and red off to a solid start leading the way with 7 points in the first. Devin Cannady put in 7 points early, while Cameron Oliver was big off the Lakers bench with 8 to lead the way for the home team.
The second quarter wouldn’t get much better early on for the Cruise. They fell to a 0-5 South Bay run at the midway point of the quarter to find themselves down 37-50. Both the Motor City offense and defense sputtered a bit in the second to as the Cruise put themselves at a 49-64 deficit heading into the half. They were down but not out. It was all Jaime Echenique (8 points) and Keifer Sykes (7 points) as they kept the Cruise within reach. Jay Huff led a potent Lakers first-half scoring attack scoring 9 in the quarter.
Brand New Team
Here came Motor City as they looked like a completely different team to open the half. The Cruise cut the South Bay lead all the way down to five at one point. It was a solid scoring frame for Motor City to cut into the lead, but timely scoring had the Lakers holding a 90-79 lead after three. Kyler Edwards came out aggressive to lead the Cruise in the quarter with 9 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. knocked down some big shots for the home team leading them with 10 in the third.
Things began to fall apart for Motor City early in the fourth as the Lakers had the lead all the way up to 16 at one point. An 11-6 run for South Bay midway through the final quarter would find the Cruise looking up at a 90-109 hole. But as we’ve seen all year, this team will fight, and that they did. Led by three-pointers late the Cruise would be able to put together a 12-4 run to cut the lead to 10. It wouldn’t be enough, however, as South Bay would hold off the visitors 127-117.
The Numbers
Keifer Sykes built on his previous performance to lead Motor City with 19 points (3 three-pointers) and 8 assists on the night. Kyler Edwards really helped keep the Cruise in the game, coming out of the half strong. He went for 17 points off the bench. Buddy Boeheim really got going late as he helped with 17 points (5 three-pointers) in the game.
Jaime Echenique played another big role in this one putting up 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 steals for the Cruise. Devontae Cacok pitched in 11 points and 6 rebounds. ShawnDre Jones was a big spark off the bench with 11 points and 6 assists. Trayvon Palmer was able to put together solid back-to-back performances by adding 8 points. ‘Do it all’ David Nwaba put together another solid game with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Scotty Pippen was huge off the Lakers bench in this one. The younger Pippen would lead all scorers with 28 points (5 three-pointers) and 10 assists. Devin Cannady was extremely efficient, going for 23 points (5 three-pointers). Cameron Oliver was off and running in this one and really played stellar all night to help with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Shaquille Harrison went for 15 points and 5 rebounds.
Virginia stand-out Jay Huff did a little of everything by adding 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. Cole Swider and Bryce Hamilton both pitched in 11 points apiece. Javante McCoy helped with 7.
Next up
South Bay really came in revitalized in this one and you could tell almost scoring at will all night. They will improve to 6-3 on the season and will face Salt Lake City in their next outing.
This wasn’t the expectation for the Cruise as they were really looking to build off and impressive performance just a couple nights ago. The offense was there, but they couldn’t limit a hot-shooting Lakers team on the night. They will fall to 2-8 on the regular season. Milwaukee will come calling when the Cruise welcome them into Wayne State Fieldhouse on Monday (January 23).
