EL SEGUNDO, CA— The Los Angeles D-Fenders came back in the second half to steal the win against the Bakersfield Jam, 110-97. Diamon Simpson carried the D-Fenders with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Dar Tucker and Ryan Forehan-Kelly contributed 19 points apiece. Bakersfield’s Justin Hawkins led his team with 19 points.

Los Angeles trailed Bakersfield, 22-33 at the end of the first quarter. Amara Sy led the Jam with eight points, three assists and three rebounds. D-Fenders’ Dar Tucker came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with seven points and Diamon Simpson contributed with four rebounds to finish the first quarter.

Bakersfield’s Justin Hawkins posted 12 points, all of which were scored in the second quarter. The D-Fenders outscored the Jam 25-21 in the second quarter, narrowing their half-time deficit 47-54. Gabe Pruitt led the D-Fenders with 12 points, closing the half.

The D-Fenders made the come-back early in the third quarter and maintained the lead to close the quarter 82-69. Los Angeles more than doubled Bakersfield’s third quarter points, 36-15.

Bakersfield outscored the D-Fenders 28-27 in the fourth quarter but fell short of regaining the lead. Six D-Fenders scored in double figures to secure the win, 110-97.

“We made stops and took the easy baskets. We ran our offense and that was key, but the defense won the game,” declared Head Coach Chucky Brown.