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Vipers' comeback falls sort

April 17, 2010 - NBA G League (G League) - Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release


AUSTIN, Texas - Rio Grande Valley guard Craig Winder fouled Curtis Jerrells on an inbounds pass with less than seven second remaining in regulation sending the former Bayor Bear to the line for the game winning free-throws as the Austin Toros knocked of the Vipers 122-120 Saturday afternoon at the Austin Convention Center. With the victory the Toros take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semifinal playoff series.

The Vipers started sluggish for the fourth straight post-season contest as the Toros started the game on a 10-3 run with the Vipers struggling to shoot the ball from the outside. Austin would cool of drastically after the first time-out as they hit from the field just once in their final 12 attempts of the quarter and trailed RGV at the end of the opening period 29-26.

The Toros exploded to start the second quarter to regain the lead. Jerrells' three-point basket capped off a 15-2 run and gave Austin a 41-31 lead with 8:29 remaining in the half. Mike Harris would pick up his third foul two minutes later and he played just nine minutes in the first half. Rich Melzer came off the bench to help the Vipers rally by scoring eight points in the period. The Vipers closed out the half with a 62-75 deficit.

In the third quarter the Vipers would rally again, and would have to as Harris picked up his fourth foul in the first minute of the third. Julian Sensley had a huge third quarter scoring 13 of his 15 points in the frame . He tied the game for the first time since the opening quarter with his three pointer from the left wing making the score 78-78. On the Vipers next possession Will Conroy's three-point play gave the Vipers an 81-80 lead with 4:04 remaining in the period. Rio Grande Valley would trail 92-91 going into the final period.

In the fourth the Vipers would be forced to rally again. The Toros began the final period strong much like they did in the second. Squeaky Johnson hit a three-point bucket from the right wing, capping off a 15-4 run, increasing the Austin lead to 12 at 107-95. Austin led by nine after an Eddie Basden slam-dunk prompting a Rio Grande Valley time-out with the score 119-110. The Vipers chipped away to close out the game by going on a 10-1 run, capped off by Harris' off balance 18-foot jumper that tied the game at 120. After Austin took the lead on the Jerrells free throws, Will Conroy's runner fell short giving the Toros the game one victory.

Austin was led by Jerrell's 30 point effort, adding seven boards, and five assists. Marcus Williams finished with 25 points and eight boards with eight assists. And Alonzo Gee, scored 24 to help lead the Austin charge. Johnson scored 21 of Austin's 25 bench points hitting five three pointers, three of which came in the second half.

Rio Grande Valley had to look everywhere for help on offense with Harris playing only 16 minutes because of foul trouble. Conroy was the floor general for RGV as he scored 26 while dishing out eight assists. Jonathan Wallace had another huge playoff game for RGV scoring 23 points in the loss. Sensley and Winder each had 15 while Antonio Anderson scored 12 points with seven boards, before being ejected late in the fourth quarter.

The series now shifts to Hidalgo for game two on Monday as the Vipers must win to force a deciding game three on Wednesday. Tip-off for game two is scheduled for 7:30 PM at State Farm Arena.


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