Spurs guard Cameron Payne torched Brighter Days for 57 points to lead Winners United to a 116-109 win in AEBL Pro-Am Summer League play.
From the opening tip-off, Winners United established their dominance, taking control of the game early on and never relinquishing the lead. In the first quarter alone, they stormed ahead with an explosive 31 points, leaving Brighter Days struggling to keep up with their relentless pace.
Payne dropped 12 of his 25 attempts from beyond the arc and 20 of his 39 from the field. The lefty fell short of the league record 61 points set by Isaiah Thomas
While Payne’s heroics stole the headlines, his teammates also played vital roles in securing the victory. Point guard Phil Taylor chipped in 19 points, maintaining his composure under pressure and distributing the ball effectively. Laquinton Ross pulled down 10 rebounds including 8 off the defensive glass.
Brighter Days outscored the winners in the last three quarters but it wasn’t enough to overcome the headstart. Robert Turner led the team in scoring with 26 points. Rayshaun Williams converted 8 of his 10 field goal attempts into 19 points. Tray Croft added 17 points and 6 assists.
Despite their best efforts, Brighter Days couldn’t close the gap on Winners United. The second quarter saw Winners United attain their largest lead, surging ahead by a staggering 24 points, a margin that proved insurmountable for Brighter Days.
Throughout the entire game, Winners United maintained their composure and control, never allowing Brighter Days to take the lead. The box score by quarters perfectly demonstrates the consistency of Winners United’s performance, managing to score 27, 26, and 32 points in the second, third, and fourth quarters, respectively.
Highlight of the Game
Cameron Gaines beat Amaree Abram’s layup attempt against the glass.
Game Photos
All photos c. Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports