Vipers Win, Heading to Semifinals
Published on April 13, 2010 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS - With the Western Conference Champion and second-seeded Rio Grande Valley Vipers trailing the sixth-seeded Reno Bighorns 91-90 late in the third quarter, Houston Rockets-assignee Mike Harris scored 13 of the Vipers' first 15 points during a 19-3 run to propel the Vipers to a two games-to-one NBA Development League Quarterfinals series victory after a 135-118 win tonight at State Farm Arena.
Harris finished with 45 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots while getting showered with chants of M-V-P from the 3,408 in attendance,
The Vipers advance to the 2010 NBADL Semifinals (best-of-three) against the third-seeded Austin Toros. Game dates, times and locations are expected to be available tomorrow.
Craig Winder hit a three-pointer to give the Vipers (2-1) an 81-72 lead with 4:51 left in the third quarter, but Richie Frahm hit four three-pointers as part of a 19-9 run that gave the Bighorns (1-2) a 91-90 lead. Harris converted a three-point play with nine seconds left to give the Vipers a 94-93 lead. Harris opened the fourth quarter with three consecutive baskets as her personally led a 9-0 run that gave the Vipers a 100-93 lead with 10:51 left. Harris scored 10 of the Vipers first 12 points of the quarter as they built a 106-96 lead with 9:15 remaining.
The Vipers trailed the Bighorns 20-9 after a Rod Benson with 4:40 remaining in the first quarter, but Stanley Asumnu hit three consecutive buckets as the Vipers went on a 13-6 run to close the quarter within 26-22.
Winder finished with 18 points and five rebounds while Asumnu scored 12 points. Will Conroy scored 24 poitns with four rebounds and six assists.
After Yaroslav Korolev hit a three-pointer to open the second, the Vipers went on an 8-0 run to take a 30-29 lead. The Bighorns responded with a 9-2 run to go up 38-32, but the Vipers responded with an 11-2 run to take a 43-40 lead after a Julian Sensley dunk at the 6:15 mark.
The Bighorns were led by Doug Thomas, who scored 21 points and Benson, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
NBA G League Stories from April 13, 2010
- Vipers Win, Heading to Semifinals - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Bighorns Suffer Season-Ending Defeat to Vipers, 135-118 - Reno Bighorns
- Minnesota Timberwolves Sign Sioux Falls' Greg Stiemsma - G League
- Mike Harris Assigned To Vipers - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Houston's Harris Assigned To Rio Grande Valley Vipers - G League
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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