The South Bay Lakers defeated the San Diego Clippers 120-115 on Friday night at the UCLA Health Training Center. The Lakers built a commanding 25-point lead in the first half before the Clippers mounted a furious comeback to tie the score late, but South Bay made key plays in the final minute to secure the victory and remain undefeated at home.

Drew Timme led the way for the South Bay Lakers (5-3), posting a double-double with a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds. Timme was dominant early, scoring 23 of his points before halftime, and later sealed the game by hitting two key free throws with 10 seconds remaining to make it a two-possession game. Guard RJ Davis was electric from long range, scoring 28 points and tying his season-high with six 3-pointers on eight attempts. Kobe Bufkin, on assignment from the Los Angeles Lakers, added 14 points. Arthur Kaluma provided 13 points and five rebounds off the bench, including two free throws with under a minute to play.

The San Diego Clippers (4-6) were paced by Patrick Baldwin Jr., who scored a team-high 30 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists. John Poulakidas provided a significant spark from the perimeter, finishing with 20 points while shooting an efficient 6-for-10 from beyond the arc. Zach Freemantle was a force, recording a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jahmyl Telfort nearly matched him with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, and Matt Allocco added 14 points for San Diego.

South Bay started the game fast, outscoring San Diego 36-19 in the first quarter and leading 71-55 at halftime. The Clippers chipped away at the deficit throughout the second half, winning the third quarter 31-20 to close the gap. They eventually tied the score at 111-111 with 4:15 left in the fourth quarter. The game remained tight until a successful coach's challenge by the Lakers overturned an offensive interference call, leading to Kaluma's free throws. 

Up next: South Bay visits the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, and San Diego visits the the Mexico City Capitanes on Sunday at 5 p.m.

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