Vipers Fall Short to Legends
Published on March 12, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
Hidalgo, TEXAS - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers fell to the Texas Legends 107-100 Monday night at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. The Vipers were led by Damian Saunders with 21 points, and the Legends were led by Dominique Johnson with 23 points.
Texas put up the first points of the game with one shot from the line by Dan Gadzuric. Chris Roberts followed up with a jumper to give the Legends the 3-0 lead. Tyren Johnson and Scott VanderMeer sunk consecutive baskets to put the Vipers ahead 4-3. Texas' Alando Tucker tied the game at 10 points on a 3-point shot, but Derrick Caracter responded with a layup to put the Vipers on top 12-10. The Legends were unable to regain the lead in the quarter. At the end of the first, the Rio Grande Valley led 25-21.
Near the start of the second quarter, the Legends' Drew Neitzel tied the game at 26 points with a jump shot and Roberts followed up with a layup to take the 28-26 lead. Caracter responded with a layup for the Vipers to tie the game at 28 points, but Ibrahima Thomas reclaimed the 30-28 lead for Texas. The Legends continued to build their lead and headed into the half with the 54-41 advantage.
A layup from VanderMeer at the 9:02 mark in the third quarter helped the Vipers cut their deficit to 9 points, 56-47. A minute later, Marshall Brown sunk a 3-point shot from downtown to bring the Vipers within 8 points of Texas, 58-50. Tucker responded for the Legends with a jump shot, but Saunders followed up with a shot from behind the arc to inch the Vipers closer 60-53. However, the Legends were able to hold on to their lead. Will Conroy sunk the final shot of the quarter, a 26' 3-pointer to bring the score to 77-68, Legends.
The Legends held their largest lead of 18 points twice early in the fourth quarter. However, a 3-pointer from Lee Humphrey with 8:33 remaining in the game brought the score to 90-79 and helped the Vipers find the momentum to fight through the rest of the quarter. Two shots from the line by Conroy closed the Vipers' gap to 5 points, 97-92. Ben Uzoh followed with two more free throws to bring the Vipers within 3 points of Texas, 97-94 with 2:19 on the clock. It was not enough to stop the Legends, who claimed the 107-100 win.
The Vipers saw six players reach double figures and were led by Saunders with 21 points, 9 rebounds, followed by Uzoh with 19 points, 9 rebounds. VanderMeer recorded 14 points, followed by Conroy with 13 points. Caracter tallied 11 points and Taylor chipped in 10 points.
Texas was led by Johnson with 23 points, closely followed by Tucker with 22 points. Chris Roberts contributed 16 points and Neitzel recorded 15 points. Ramon Dyer tallied 10 rebounds.
The Vipers hit the road this week for a contest against the Austin Toros Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. Rio Grande Valley will be back at home Thursday, March 22 when they host the Los Angeles Defenders at 7 p.m. at the State Farm Arena.
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