RJ Davis produced a triple-double and the South Bay Lakers started the game on a 12-0 run in a 125-118 victory over the Salt Lake City Stars on Thursday night at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California.

The Lakers never relinquished the lead, though the Stars tied the score twice in the first half and mounted a significant second-half comeback to make it a one-possession with 2:35 left.

Davis powered the Lakers (8-6) with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He scored 25 of his points in the second half. Kobe Bufkin finished with 25 points, including 13 in the final quarter. Anton Watson had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Manon added 17 points and six boards. Center Kylor Kelley had four blocks to go along with 12 points.

The Stars (6-10) stayed in the game thanks to strong play from their bench. Guards Sean East II and Max Abmas combined for 56 points, with East leading the team with 29 points and Abmas adding 27 on 7-of-11 shooting, including five 3-pointers. The Stars' frontcourt also contributed double-doubles, as Oscar Tshiebwe recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Cam McGriff tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds. John Tonje also chipped in with 14 points for Salt Lake City.

South Bay built a lead as large as 22 points in the third quarter before Salt Lake City stormed back. The Stars cut the deficit to three points six times in the fourth quarter but could never pull even. Clutch shots from Davis and Bufkin in the final minutes, including a step-back 3-pointer by Davis that pushed the lead to seven with 29 seconds left, sealed the victory for the Lakers. The two teams will meet again on Saturday to conclude their two-game set.

Up next: The Lakers host the Stars again Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

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