Bakersfield Slips Past 66ers in Season Opener
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Nov. 19, 2010 – A total of six Tulsa 66ers scored in double digits, led by Marcus Lewis’ 23 points on 11-14 (.786) shooting from the field, but a missed 3-pointer for Tulsa at the buzzer allowed the Bakersfield Jam (1-0) to slip by the 66ers (0-1) by a 104-101 final Friday evening in Bakersfield in the season opener for both teams.
Tulsa’s Larry Owens recorded the only double-double of the contest with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Adding 16 points each for the 66ers were Elijah Millsap, Robert Vaden, Zabian Dowdell and Tweety Carter. Dowdell also recorded six steals and tied a game-high five assists with Owens.
Trey Johnson paced the Jam with a game-high 24 points while Jeremy Wise pitched in 17. Patrick Mutombo added 14 points, including a 3-5 (.600) effort from 3-point range.
The see-saw battle yielded 13 lead changes, including six in the fourth quarter.
With the game tied 99-99 with 1:06 remaining, Bakersfield scored four straight points behind a dunk from Marqus Blakely and a pair of free-throws by Wise. Tweety Carter then hit two free-throws to inch Tulsa within two, 103-101. After a missed free-throw by Jam guard Kenny Taylor, Vaden’s 3-point attempt fell short to tie the game at the buzzer.
Bakersfield equaled its largest lead of the night in the second quarter when Trey Johnson connected on a driving bank shot to put the Jam up 38-30. Tulsa finished the half on a 15-7 run to tie the score, 45-45, started by a 3-pointer by Robert Vaden with 5:18 remaining and capped off with a steal and layup by Zabian Dowdell as time expired.
Tulsa’s largest lead was eight points with 5:41 remaining in the third, 65-57.
Tulsa and Bakersfield will square off again Saturday evening, Nov. 20th, to complete the back-to-back set. Tip time is set for 9 p.m. inside Jam Events Center.
Updated 11-20-2010
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