(Interstat) — In a pivotal G League matchup that solidified their playoff positioning, the South Bay Lakers used a dominant second-quarter surge to defeat the Santa Cruz Warriors 113 to 104 on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

The victory improved the Lakers’ record to 26 wins and 15 losses, while the Warriors fell to 14 wins and 27 losses. The game was the second of a back-to-back between the teams at the same venue, with South Bay also winning decisively two nights prior.

The contest was tightly contested through the opening period, with Santa Cruz holding a narrow 25 to 24 lead after one quarter. The game’s decisive shift came in the second quarter, where the Lakers’ offense exploded. South Bay outscored Santa Cruz 43 to 27 in the frame, turning a one-point deficit into a 15-point halftime lead. That explosive quarter, fueled by transition play and efficient shooting, provided a cushion the Warriors could not overcome, despite matching the Lakers nearly evenly in the second half.

Adou Thiero led all scorers and was the catalyst for South Bay, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 28 minutes. His athleticism on both ends helped key the Lakers’ second-quarter run. He was supported by a strong all-around performance from point guard Nick Smith of Jacksonville, Arkansas, who tallied 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

For Santa Cruz, Charles Bassey delivered a powerful double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. Jacksen Moni of Fargo, North Dakota, also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while adding five assists. Center Marques Bolden contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds in a game-high 37 minutes of action.

Defensively, Santa Cruz’s Ja’Vier Francis made a significant impact with six blocked shots to go along with eight points and eight rebounds.

The most important sequence of the game occurred late in the second quarter as the Lakers were building their substantial lead. With South Bay already on a run, Thiero blocked a Charles Bassey layup attempt, leading to a defensive rebound. On the ensuing possession, Thiero drilled a 25-foot 3-pointer to extend the lead. After a Santa Cruz miss, Thiero then assisted on a Bronny James 3-pointer on the next trip down the floor. That quick, self-generated six-point swing encapsulated the Lakers’ period of control and stretched their lead to a margin that proved insurmountable.

Despite a persistent effort from the Warriors, who were led by Bassey’s interior scoring, the Lakers managed the game effectively in the second half. South Bay maintained its double-digit advantage throughout the third and fourth quarters, never allowing Santa Cruz to mount a sustained threat.

The win continued a strong stretch for South Bay, which has now won three consecutive games and eight of its last ten. Santa Cruz, conversely, has lost three of its last four. Interstat’s ELO system had projected the Lakers as strong favorites with a 72.50 percent probability to win, a forecast borne out by the decisive second-quarter performance.

South Bay next hosts the Iowa Wolves on Wednesday, March 11. Santa Cruz begins a four-game road trip at the Cleveland Charge on Friday, March 13.