EL SEGUNDO – Scott Machado picked up his first career triple double and Travis Wear continued his impressive play as the South Bay Lakers beat the Northern Arizona Suns, 123-118, on Friday night. Machado dished a career-high 17 assists and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to go along with 16 points as he led South Bay (22-13) to their third straight home victory. Shaquille Harrison finished with a double-double for the Suns (16-19), but could not lead his team to the win.
South Bay opened up a 34-29 lead after the first quarter despite 13 early points from Harrison. South Bay’s starters combined for 29 of the team’s 34 points in the opening period. The teams picked up their scoring in the second quarter as the Suns took a 71-69 lead into the half. Harrison had 22 points by halftime and Thomas Bryant and Demarcus Holland had 12 points apiece for the Lakers.
South Bay regained a slight lead, 93-92, after the third as Wear erupted for 13 points in the third frame alone. A balanced effort by the Lakers got the job done in the fourth quarter as Bryant scored seven points in the final frame to close out the win.
Harrison’s double-double (25 points, 12 assists) paced the Suns and Archie Goodwin added 20 points off the bench. Rahlir Hollis Jefferson (18 points, nine rebounds), Xavier Silas (15 points, eight rebounds), Danuel House (14 points) and Mike Young (12 points, eight rebounds) all finished in double figures for the Suns.
Machado’s career-night and Wear’s double-double (23 points, 14 rebounds) led the way, while Bryant finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and his usual energy for South Bay. Holland finished with 18 points and Stephaun Branch tallied 16 of his own, but it was Michael Holyfield who added a needed spark off the bench with a season-high 12 points, nine rebounds and a career-high three blocks in the win.
The South Bay Lakers hit the road to take on the Santa Cruz Warriors on Sunday, February 11 at 6:00 from the Kaiser Permanente Arena. The Lakers won both previous matchups with the Warriors this season.
