Vipers Strike Fast, Outpace Jam
March 5, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Bakersfield Jam News Release
(Bakersfield, Calif.) - Though Rio Grande Valley didn't reach the franchise-record 145 points they scored in their last game against the Jam, Bakersfield will probably hurt more from the sting of Friday's 124-106 loss to the Vipers as the Jam was beaten to the punch from the opening tip all the way through to garbage time.
Despite having their roster decimated by four Gatorade Call-Ups over the past several weeks, Rio Grande Valley has continued to win using a breakneck, fast-paced style and a team-first attitude highlighted by defensive effort and unselfish offense. In the absence of Mike Harris, Antonio Anderson, Garrett Temple and Will Conroy (the top four scorers on the team for most of the season) it was Viper forward Ernest Scott who stepped up with a season-high 29-point outburst that featured impressive 9-for-15 shooting from behind the arc.
Brian Butch performed admirably in the loss for Bakersfield, dropping 19 points to go with 15 rebounds for his seventh straight double-double, a streak that dates back to the All-Star break. But after giving up 40 points in the first quarter, the Jam were playing catch-up for virtually every minute of the game and were never able to sufficiently slow down the Vipers to get back into the game.
In addition to the outstanding performance from Scott, Rio Grande Valley's bench outscored its Jam counterpart by a remarkable 57-33 margin, led by 20 points from Stanley Asumnu and 19 from Craig Winder (the two of whom combined to shoot 17-for-26 from the field). The Vipers also saw five different players tally at least five assists and four guys snatch at least two steals, all emblematic of their fast and frenetic style of play.
Although six different players scored in double figures, Bakersfield had little to hang their hat on in a blowout loss. One possible exception is the solid play of the team's two newcomers, both of whom started the game: 2008-09 Jam star Trey Johnson scored 17 points to go with eight assists and three rebounds in his return, while recent trade acquisition Alade Aminu scored 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting and swatted three shots away in his Jam debut.
Still, Bakersfield will have an uphill battle contending with the Vipers in Saturday night's rematch after their 20 turnovers (19 in the first three quarters) contributed to Rio Grande Valley putting up 94 shots to the Jam's 78, thereby rendering useless Bakersfield's edge in shooting percentage and free throws.
The Jam will look for a shot at redemption beginning at 7:00pm on Saturday evening at the Jam Events Center, with Rio Grande Valley aiming for the season sweep over Bakersfield's group.
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