The Santa Cruz Warriors could not hold on to a 20-point lead in a 127-123 Wednesday night loss to the South Bay Lakers in El Segundo.
Santa Cruz (1-2) grabbed an 88-68 lead on a layup from Chris Cook with 7:31 left in the third quarter but the Lakers (2-0) once again mounted a massive comeback in the final frame — on Saturday they overcame a 19-point deficit in Santa Cruz.
Cook once again had a big night, finishing with 25 points, seven assists and three steals. His layup with 2:49 left to play tied the game up at 120 but Santa Cruz missed five of its final six shots, while South Bay converted from the free-throw line down the stretch.
The Warriors return home for a four-game home stand. They start the stretch on Friday night against the Wisconsin Herd at 7 p.m.
Santa Cruz had three other players score at least 20 points or more. James Southerland recorded a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds and Georges Niang did the same with 20 points and 10 assists, while also adding seven rebounds.
Cleathony Early chimed in with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and five blocks.
The Warriors entered the locker room with a 69-61 lead and started the third on a 19-7 run to go up 20.
But the Lakers, led by 59 combined points from Thomas Bryant and Alex Caruso, once again stunned the Warriors in the end.
