D-Fenders Get First Win of Season

Published on November 20, 2014 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers tonight 128-127 at the Toyota Sports Center.

The D-Fenders (1-2) were led by Manny Harris (43 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals), Jabari Brown (23 points, six rebounds) and Roscoe Smith (20 points, 17 rebounds). Vander Blue (12 points, three rebounds and four assists), Naadir Tharpe (11 points, three assists) and Josiah Turner (11 points, three assists) all finished in double figures for the D-Fenders.

Akeem Richmond finished with a team-high 31 points on 9-17 shooting from three-point range. Gary Talton (23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds), Tony Bishop (14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists), Jaron Johnson (13 points, four assists), Raphiael Putney (12 points, two rebounds) and Tyrone White (11 points, two rebounds) all scored in double-digits for Rio Grande Valley (3-1).

The first quarter set the stage for this tight finish, with the quarter ending with Los Angeles leading 29-28. Jabari Brown led all scorers for the quarter with 10 points off the bench for the D-Fenders. Rio Grande Valley committed eight turnovers on the quarter, leading to six points for L.A. The D-Fenders outscored the Vipers 30-21 for the second quarter, giving L.A. a 59-49 lead at the break. Manny Harris and Jabari Brown finished the half with 18 points each, while Tyrone White finished with a team-high 11 points for Rio Grande Valley.

Rio Grande Valley would shoot .567 from the field for third quarter, outscoring the D-Fenders 39-28, leaving the Vipers up 88-87 after three. Akeem Richmond led the Vipers with 14 points on the quarter. Manny Harris proved to be the difference in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points on 6-11 shooting. Roscoe Smith added 12 points to give the D-Fenders a 128-127 victory for their first win of the season.

Overall, the D-Fenders shot .475 from the field, while the Vipers shot .468. Free throws proved to be a big factor in this one, Los Angeles outscoring Rio Grande Valley 31-7 from the charity stripe. Rio Grande Valley committed 21 turnovers that led to 30 points for Los Angeles, while the D-Fenders committed 17 turnovers, leading to just 19 points for the Vipers.

The D-Fenders are back in action at the Toyota Sports Center on Friday, November 21st to host the Idaho Stampede at 7:00 p.m. PT.

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