Jam prevails despite absence of Johnson
| Friday, Feb 20 2009 01:56 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:23 PM
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CSUB's Rowdy the Roadrunner showed up at the Bakersfield Jam basketball game Thursday evening at the Rabobank Arena while they were playing the Austin Toros.
Bakersfield Jam forward Terrance Thomas drives against Austin's Mohammed Abukar, left, during game action Thursday evening at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
Casey Christie / The Californian Bakersfield Jam guard, Terrell Everett, left, tries to beat Austin's #6 to the ball during the first quarter Thursday in Bakersfield. (CQ)
Jam forward Justin Reed takes it to the basket Thursday against Austin's Carldell Johnson in Bakersfield.
If there were such thing as an Amber Alert for missing D-League players, Trey Johnson's name would have popped up Thursday night. The all-star guard who was expected to rejoin the Jam after a 10-day stint with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, was a no-show for Bakersfield's home game against the Austin Toros.
Fortunately for the Jam, it had enough of firepower without the missing star to outlast Austin 102-97 in front of an announced crowd of 1,462 at Rabobank Arena.
"They were the No. 1 team in the league coming in here," Jam coach Scott Roth said. "... It was a just a great effort by our guys. They played very hard against a very good team."
Afterward, Roth said he was unable to comment on his missing player's whereabouts.
Speculation is that Johnson, who was in Bakersfield earlier in the day, likely signed another 10-day contract with the Cavaliers, who were unable to pull the trigger on deal before the NBA trade deadline Thursday. D-League rules prevent commenting on movement before deals are complete.
Nick Lewis had 21 points and nine rebounds and Derrick Byars added 20 points for the Jam (18-14), who snapped Austin's three-game win streak and improved to 2-0 against the Toros (21-9).
Jam point guard Mateen Cleaves, out recently with an injured left hamstring, scored 19 points and dished 11 assists in his first game at Rabobank since Jan. 15.
"It feels good," Cleaves said. "Right now I'm just trying to get my timing back, but it feels good to be out there to compete with the guys.
"That was the worst time of my life sitting over there watching them guys plays for the month I was out ... I was excited to get to play back at Rabobank."
Cleaves had eight points in the fourth quarter and spurred a late 11-3 run that broke open the game
"We've missed him," Roth said. "... And when you have a leader like that out there that really commands respect from the referees and the opposing team and is smart, he really helps control the game for you."
Marcus Williams and Mohmmed Abukar had 23 points each to pace Austin, which shot 51 percent from the field.
London-born Pops Mensah-Mensu recorded a double-double for the Toros with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Derrick Byars of the Jam put on a long distance clinic, with three 3-pointers early in the third period to help the Jam extend its advantage to 10.
But Austin fought back behind a huge quarter by Williams to close the gap to one heading to final 12 minutes.
Byars and Williams scored 15 points apiece in the quarter.
Bakersfield made 11-of-18 (61 percent) of its second- quarter field goal attempts to overcome a five-point deficit and lead 48-47 at the break.
