Johnson, Jam Bite Back at Vipers
Published on March 7, 2010 under NBA G League (G League)
Bakersfield Jam News Release
(Bakersfield, Calif.) - Just one night after a terrible loss at the hands of the Vipers, the Bakersfield Jam got its revenge on Rio Grande Valley as new addition Trey Johnson drained a buzzer-beater for a 116-114 Jam victory in a barnburner at the Jam Events Center.
Bakersfield trailed Rio Grande Valley by seven, 105-98, with three minutes remaining before Brian Butch (18 points, 19 rebounds) drained back-to-back three-pointers to draw the Jam within one and the team's other newcomer Alade Aminu grabbed the lead with a three-point play.
The game see-sawed back and forth from there, as Jonathan Wallace (16 points, 5 assists) tied it with two free throws and Craig Winder (28 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals) answered a Will Daniels layup with two points of his own. It was then - with just over 20 seconds remaining - that Johnson took over, driving to the hole for a tough finish and draining the accompanying foul shot to give Bakersfield a 112-109 lead.
Rio Grande Valley answered quickly with a Julian Sensley layup, then fouled Johnson with 15 seconds remaining. The Jam appeared to have the game in hand after two made free throws, but the Vipers got Winder open for a three-pointer from the wing that tied the game at 114 with just under 10 seconds to go.
Bakersfield Head Coach Will Voigt decided to put the game in the hands of Johnson, who had done a remarkable job making up for the absence of Jam point guard Jeremy Wise (eye injury) with 20 assists to match his 20-point scoring output. With time winding down, he held his dribble outside the three-point line on the right wing before driving into the teeth of the Viper defense and netting a contested 15-footer as time expired.
Daniels also stepped up for the shorthanded Jam (who played without Wise, backup point John Williams or reserve forward Patrick Mutombo) filling the stat sheet with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals. Aminu contributed 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in just his second game with the team.
The Vipers were led by Kenny Hasbrouck, who poured in 29 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Julian Sensley gave Rio Grande Valley 37 good minutes in his second game after returning from injury, scoring 13 points, dishing eight assists and grabbing seven rebounds in the loss.
The Jam continues its current homestand with a Tuesday game against the playoff-contending Reno Bighorns before welcoming the Austin Toros back to town for a weekend back-to-back set. Rio Grande Valley heads back home, where they will play host to the Toros on Tuesday night.
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- Johnson, Jam Bite Back at Vipers - Bakersfield Jam
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