Jam Outlast Stampede in Overtime
January 7, 2012 - NBA G League (G League)
Bakersfield Jam News Release
BAKERSFIELD, January 6, 2012 - Renaldo Major and Osiris Eldridge made key plays down the stretch as the Bakersfield Jam (9-6) defeated the Idaho Stampede (6-9) by a score of 116-112 in overtime tonight. The Jam extend their home winning streak over the Stampede to five games dating back to last season and came out victorious in their first overtime game of the year.
Bakersfield started the night strong with a commanding 31-19 lead to end the first quarter but Idaho fought back and cut the Jam's lead down to three (55-52) going into halftime. The Jam shot 52.6% from the field in the third to give them a 79-74 lead at the end of the quarter. But the game came down to the wire as both teams battled in the fourth quarter where the lead saw seven changes and five ties.
With 25 seconds left in the fourth, Armon Jonhson made a 16-foot jumper to give the Stampede a 105-103 lead. The Jam's next possession resulted in a turnover, which forced them to foul, sending Johnson to the free throw line. Johnson missed both free throws giving Bakersfield a chance to tie or win the game. Renaldo Major made sure that chance was not wasted as he drove to the basket and made a lay-up with 5.7 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 105 apiece. Antoine Walked missed a long three with the clock winding down, sending the game into overtime.
The extra period included four lead changes and two ties until Bakersfield came up with a critical defensive stop to escape with a win. Adam Koch deflected the ball from Luke Babbitt and Osiris Eldridge took it all the way to lay the ball in with 15 seconds left to break the 112-112 tie. Jordan Hamilton missed on the next possession as Eldridge came up with the rebound and was fouled, ultimately netting two free throws to finish the game off.
Eldridge finished the game with a team-high 19 points on 6-for-10 field goal shooting. Major had a superb game, recording his first double-double of the season with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Juan Pattillo added 15 points and Jeremy Hazell 14 off the bench. Jeremy Wise tallied 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Toronto Raptors assignee Solomon Alabi recorded his second straight double-double of 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
Seven Stampede players scored in double figures this evening, led by Antoine Walker's 19 point performance. Portland Trailblazers assignees Luke Babbitt had 13 points and 9 rebounds and Armon Johnson finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists. Denver Nuggets assignees Jordan Hamilton also posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds and Julyan Stone added 9 points.
Bakersfield and Idaho will meet again tomorrow night in a second game of a back-to-back set, tip off at 7 p.m. PT at the Jam Events Center.
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