BayHawks Late Push Not Enough to Beat Jam
December 30, 2014 - NBA G League (G League)
Erie BayHawks News Release
Erie, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - The Erie BayHawks (7-10) used a late fourth quarter run to cut a six point deficit to as many as two, but eventually fell to the Bakersfield Jam (11-7) 119-116 when Seth Curry's game-tying three was blocked at the buzzer. Bakersfield's bench outscored Erie's 53-25 and six different Jam players hit double figures.
Curry, who was hot all night, scored 17 points in a first quarter that featured 39 Erie points, the highest scoring quarter for the BayHawks all season. The Jam managed to trail only by seven despite being outshot 73%-46% thanks to a late 7-0 run. The Jam were able to battle back in the middle of the second frame to take their first lead since they were up 2-0 with 11:58 in the first quarter. Bakersfield would continue their momentum and go up by as many as six, but a 14-2 BayHawks run to close the quarter gave Erie a 64-58 lead at halftime. Drew Crawford scored Erie's first seven points in the quarter, as well as their last nine.
Erie was able to build their lead to as many as 15 in the third quarter after Lenzelle Smith, Jr. buried a long jumper. Bakersfield then scored nine straight points to stay in the game after Elijah Millsap and Mac Koshwal traded baskets for the Jam. Erie would find themselves leading by only five heading into the fourth.
After just over two minutes played in the final frame, the Jam went on a 13-5 run to take a 95-92 lead. With 2:12 remaining the game, the BayHawks were down by six with Archie Griffin going to the line for two. After missing both attempts, Crawford would make the Jam pay by hitting a three to cut the deficit to three. A wide open Tyler Ennis layup on the ensuing possession didn't deflate Erie as Kadeem Batts would nail two free throws on the other end to keep it a one possession game.
Erie would eventually cut the lead to two with 52 seconds left but T.J. Warren's tip in with 5.9 seconds left capped off a 46-second possession that gave Bakersfield three chances. Smith, Jr. raced to the other end to cut the Jam lead to two with 3 seconds on the clock. After Warren went 1-2 from the line, Erie had a chance to send the game into overtime but Curry's three-point attempt was denied by Robert Vaden. Bakersfield was able to win the last game of the season series and the BayHawks have now lost two straight home games in as many days.
Curry led Erie in scoring with 33 points that included seven three-pointers, a personal best for the season. Crawford finished closely behind with 30 points and 8 rebounds. The two combined for 54% of Erie's points. Batts had 18 points and Peyton Siva, who made his first appearance since his December 14 injury, tallied 12 assists. Brandon Provost came off the bench to score 11, his season high. Devyn Marble, on NBA assignment from the Orlando Magic, missed the game due to an illness.
Millsap for Bakersfield came off the pine to lead the Jam with 21 points. Ennis and Warren, both on NBA assignment from the Phoenix Suns, scored 20 and 16, respectively.
After three straight home games, the Erie BayHawks are back on the road as they travel to Delaware to take on the 87ers on Friday night. Erie will then head to Fort Wayne to face the Mad Ants for the third time this season, first on the road.
NBA G League Stories from December 30, 2014
- BayHawks Late Push Not Enough to Beat Jam - Erie BayHawks
- Jam Hold on for Road Win - Bakersfield Jam
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- Atlanta Hawks Assign John Jenkins to Idaho Stampede and Adreian Payne to Austin Spurs - Idaho Stampede
- Atlanta Hawks Assign John Jenkins to Idaho Stampede and Adreian Payne to Austin Spurs - G League
- D-Fenders Acquire Jarvis Varnado - Los Angeles D-Fenders
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