Down 103-100 with 8.8 seconds left in the game, Jerel McNeal hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime. Damion James then accounted for the only basket scored by either team in the three minute overtime, a driving layup that put the Jam up 105-103 with just 48.5 seconds left in the game.
From there, both teams exchanged a free throw, and with 3.5 seconds left, Renaldo Major blocked a jump shot by Terrence Jones to preserve the 106-104 victory in Bakersfield on Sunday afternoon.
Bakersfield went into halftime holding a 55-48 lead, and despite poor shooting in the third quarter (31.6%), the Jam held off the Vipers to maintain a 73-69 advantage heading into the final period. Rio Grande then outscored the Jam by seven points to take that three-point lead with just under nine seconds left in regulation. McNeal then tied it, James regained it, and Major blocked it, as all three had a huge hand in the big win.
Major finished the game as the all-time leading scorer in NBA D-League history (3,812), as he ended up with eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks, the last one being the game saver.
Damion James led Bakersfield with a game-high 27 points to go along with 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Shan Foster scored 18 off the bench, while Jerel McNeal added 17, and a game-high seven assists.
Jones led the Vipers with 24 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Vernon Macklin posted a double-double off the bench with 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Mike Singletary chipped in with18, and six rebounds.
Bakersfield will open the new-year at home against the Iowa Energy on Sunday, January 6.
On a side note, please subscribe to this column and stay updated on all future articles by hitting the subscribe link on this page (next to the profile), it’s free and holds no obligations.
Comments