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Jam Overcome D-Fenders In Western Conference Battle

February 3, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


Bakersfield, CA - In a back-and-forth game that was in question until the final buzzer rang, Bakersfield's Patrick Mutombo drained a triple from the corner with 8.6 seconds left and the Jam protected their advantage by collapsing on a driving Joe Crawford as time expired for a 102-100 victory over the rival Los Angeles D-Fenders.

"We had to get a bucket in crunch time, which we did, and we had to come down and get a stop, which we did," said Jam head coach Will Voigt. "Those are two areas where we've struggled, so it was great to see us come through."

This latest chapter in a bitter local rivalry saw the teams tied 12 times and the lead change hands on 11 occasions, but Bakersfield made the final lead change count as Mutombo - playing in only his sixth game for the Jam - hit his first three-pointer of the season to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. Crawford led the D-Fenders with 25 points, but could not get a shot off in the closing seconds as the stifling Jam defense corralled on him in the lane.

Jeremy Wise led the way for Bakersfield throughout the game, scoring a season-high 27 points on 8-for-10 shooting and racking up seven assists, not to mention three steals and a key late-game block. Los Angeles threw every defender available at the young Jam point guard, but was unable to find an answer for his quickness and athleticism. Center John Edwards also played his best game of the season, scoring 17 points on an impressive array of post moves and grabbing nine rebounds.

Dar Tucker scored 19 points for the D-Fenders, as part of a group of reserves who totaled 50 points in a game where regular contributors Diamon Simpson, Ryan Forehan-Kelly and Frank Robinson managed only 10 points combined. Big men Michael Fey and Keith Clark added 14 points each, but it was not enough to combat a Jam team that had only eight healthy bodies and saw three of them foul out before game's end.

Reece Gaines scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Jam avoid losing their slim advantage, and Will Daniels (11 points, 3 rebounds) gave Bakersfield tough minutes off the bench despite having to leave the game briefly in the first half with a minor knee injury. Leading scorer Brian Butch had a tough shooting night for Bakersfield but still found a way to contribute as he fought his way to a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double and held his position defensively to assure the game's final stop.

The D-Fenders will battle the Jam again tomorrow night at 7pm at the Bakersfield Jam Event Center. Tune in to the NBA Futurecast at www.nba.com/futurecast to watch the D-Fenders take on the Jam.

To purchase your tickets for the next D-Fenders home game, please contact us at d-fendersintern@d-fenders.com or call us at 310-343-3110.

A complete box score for this game can be found at http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId2020900193.



NBA G League Stories from February 3, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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