Vipers Fall to D-Fenders 96-89
Published on March 22, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
Hidalgo, TEXAS - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers dropped a 96-89 decision to the Los Angeles D-Fenders Thursday night at State Farm Arena. Greg Smith led the Vipers with 27 points, 9 rebounds. Elijah Millsap led the D-Fenders with 26 points.
The D-Fenders put the first points of the game on the board with two free throws from Millsap. Will Conroy tied the game at 4 points with a driving layup, and Jermaine Taylor followed with a shot from behind the arc that sent the Vipers on a run to take the 16-4 lead with 5:13 remaining in the first quarter. In the last two minutes of the quarter, Los Angeles was able to contain the Vipers to one basket. The D-Fenders closed their deficit to 23-21 at the end of the first.
Millsap banked two free throws to tie the score at 25 points just over one minute into the second quarter. Smith responded for the Vipers with an alley oop assisted by Conroy to put Rio Grande Valley back on top 27-25. Los Angeles fought throughout the quarter to regain the lead, and succeeded with 5:35 on the clock with a 3-point jump shot from Kareem Rush for the 37-36 lead. The D-Fenders went on a 15-0 run until they were stopped by a dunk from Tyren Johnson, which set the Vipers deficit at 51-38 heading into the half.
Los Angeles maintained their lead throughout the third quarter. With 3:11 on the clock, a shot from downtown by Johnson helped the Vipers close their deficit to 65-57. Otis George followed up with one from the line, and Scott VanderMeer contributed a layup to put the Vipers within 7 points, 59-66. Millsap sunk two free throws for the D-Fenders to set them up 68-59 at the end of the third quarter.
The D-Fenders held on to their lead throughout the fourth quarter. A dunk from Smith put the Vipers within 4 points, 80-76 with 5:38 left in the game. Rio Grande Valley kept the game close and at 2:59 trailed 88-83, but more free throws and a 3-point shot from Millsap secured Los Angeles' 96-89 win
The Vipers were led by Smith's 27 points, 9 rebounds. Taylor added 16 points and Johnson chipped in 13 points.
The D-Fenders were led by Millsap with 26 points. George and Malcolm Thomas each recorded double-doubles. George notched 14 points, 12 rebounds and Thomas recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds.
The Vipers will be back in action Friday, March 23 when they host the D-Fenders again at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena.
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