Jam stomp the Noise
March 5, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Jacksonville Slam News Release
The Jacksonville Jam (27-8) came into Sunday's final regular season home game prepared for their upcoming playoff run and didn't disappoint JAM fans as they continued to execute without skipping a beat in taking apart the Knoxville Noise, 161-115 at the UNF Arena.
Jerry Williams, Bobby St. Preux, and Anthony Lumpkin set the tone early for the Jam with hot shooting both from the perimeter and on quick drives to the basket. The first quarter and entire first half was total domination of the Noise by the Jam. The Noise came out extremely aggressive, but the Jam matched their opponents aggression with active play. The perimeter play of Williams, St. Preux, and Lumpkin was matched by strong inside play from DeRon Rutledge, Mario Brown, and Nick Wallery. With good inside and outside play complimenting each other the Jam led 36-23 after one period of play.
In the second period, the Jam bench took total control of the game led by Anthony Hatcher, Ray Rose, Antonio Lawrence, and veteran, Tony Holley. The Jam broke the game open at the midpoint of the second quarter as they extended their lead to 22 points. Jacksonville took total control of the game and went in up at half-time with a 25 point lead, 70-45.
The second half started with spirited play by Knoxville as Jemere Hendrix and Toby Smith tried valiantly to bring the Noise back, but Jacksonville would have none of it as they matched every basket from Knoxville. Williams and St. Preux did most of the damage during this offensive shoot-out from both teams. Both the Jam and Noise scored 45 points in the quarter and Jacksonville still led by 25 points heading into the final period of play.
Jacksonville blew the game open in the fourth quarter as they continued their offensive assault of Knoxville's defense. The Jam tightened their defensive effort as the Jam bench played tough team defense. Jam point guard, LaShawn Mitchell showcased the talent that made him an All-American at Florida Community College scoring 12 points in the final period of play. Brown, Wallery, and Hatcher continued to defend as they scored basket after basket helping the Jam outscore the Noise 46-25 in the final period of play as the Jam cruised to a 46 point victory, 161-115. Jacksonville scored an incredible 91 points in the second half of play!
Williams paced the Jam again with a double/double performance with 37 points and 13 rebounds. St. Preux scored 31 points on 11 of 20 shooting with 7 3's for the game in 18 minutes of play. The Jam had eight players score in double figures for the game with Brown putting together his first double/double of his professional career with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Mitchell and Hatcher also scored 14 points, and Wallery, Rutledge, and Rose followed up with 12, 10, and 10 points respectively. Knoxville was led by Hendrix game high 40 points. Smith also scored 35 points for Knoxville. The Jam once again played without starting center, Johnny Tyson, who sat out his second straight game with a muscle strain in his leg. This is only a minor injury and Tyson will be ready for the upcoming ABA Playoffs.
11th Man JAM FAN and season ticket holder Lee McKee even got into the action in the fourth quarter with 2 assists and 4 points in the quarter. The JAM's 11th MANTM promotions have produced great fun and interactive experiences for sponsors and celebrity guests throughout the inaugural season. As part of the final regular season home game, McKee was chosen from all season ticket holders as the 11th Man JAM Fan as a part of the JAM's 11th MANTM promotions. JAM fans need to be sure to sign up for their season tickets next year for their chance to be next year's 11th MAN JAM Fan!
Jacksonville will complete its regular season on the road against Orlando on Thursday night. The Jam and Aces meet for the final time this ABA regular season at Flagler College in St. Augustine. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm. A portion of the proceeds from the game will go to help the Flagler College Women's Basketball Program. Join us as we spread the JAM to St. Augustine and we play at Flagler College on Thursday, March 8 at 7PM.
JAM NOTES: The Jacksonville Jam have put together one of the best inaugural seasons in ABA history by compiling a 27-8 regular season record thus far, winning the Southeastern Division of the ABA, and by being one of the top ranked teams in the ABA all season long.
Jacksonville finished the regular season with a 15-3 record at home and are 12-5 on the road for the season.
The Jam moved up to #3 in this weeks ABA Power Ranking only trailing Vermont and Arkansas. Jacksonville has won 9 of it last 10 games in their run towards the playoffs.
The Jam will have a bye in the first round of the ABA Playoffs and will host the first playoff game in the franchise' brief history on Friday night, March 16th on their homecourt at the UNF Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm. The Jam opponent will only be known after first round games in the ABA Playoffs. Final Power Rankings and ABA Playoff Tournament Brackets will be released on March 11th. JAM PLAYOFF TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!! Go to WWW.JAXJAM.COM or call the JAM at 904-302-5323 for ticket information and for your chance to be a part of the JAM!
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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