College Article Feature: Stars rebound with overtime win over Clippers

Written by Zachary Halliday | Brigham Young University

The Salt Lake City Stars defeated the San Diego Clippers 128-120 in overtime Wednesday at the Maverik Center, evening the season series at 2-2.

Rookie Sean East II, fresh off earning a spot in the 2026 NBA G League Next Up Game, led the Stars with 27 points, nearly 10 more than his season average. East also added seven assists with just one turnover, capping an efficient offensive night.

“He gets in the right spots and makes the right plays,” teammate Matthew Cleveland said of East.

Cleveland and Mo Bamba each recorded double-doubles for the Stars. Cleveland finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Bamba added 16 points and 14 rebounds. Six Stars players scored in double figures.

Salt Lake City started the game hot, shooting 48% from the field and hitting four 3-pointers in the first quarter. Guard Dereon Seabron converted an and-one to give the Stars a 27-16 lead, but the Clippers stayed within striking distance with an 11-5 run to close the quarter.

San Diego responded in the second quarter, outscoring Salt Lake City 39-27 to take a 66-59 halftime lead. Clippers forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. and guard Jaelen House combined for 32 first-half points, with Baldwin also leading all players with nine rebounds.

After Baldwin hit a pair of 3-pointers to start the third quarter, it appeared San Diego would pull away. Instead, momentum quickly shifted. Salt Lake City went on a 20-2 run, including four straight three-pointers and an alley-oop from Cleveland during a stretch of 16 unanswered points. The Stars entered the fourth quarter ahead 94-86.

Behind a pair of 3-pointers by Clippers rookie John Poulakidas and timely scoring from House, the game was tied 120-120 with 5.9 seconds remaining. The Stars had a chance to win in regulation, but guard Matthew Murrell missed a layup before the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

The Stars opened overtime with eight straight points to reach the target score and secure the 128-120 win.

With the victory, the Stars improved to 7-12, while the Clippers fell to 8-11. Salt Lake City will host the Westchester Knicks on Friday at the Maverik Center in the first of a back-to-back set.