14ers Streak Continues Versus Vipers
February 19, 2008 - NBA G League (G League)
Colorado 14ers News Release
DENVER - Feb. 19, 2008 - The Colorado 14ers extended their winning streak to four games with a thrilling 138-131 double overtime win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday afternoon. With the victory Colorado improves to 19-13 on the season, while Rio Grande Valley falls to 12-22 on the year with the loss.
D-League All-Stars Elton Brown and Billy Thomas led the way for Colorado in their first game since returning from All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. Brown posted 30 points and 14 rebounds in a season-high 49 minutes of action while Thomas added 22 points in a season-high 50 minutes. The 14ers battled back from a 12 point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime, and scored the final five points of the extra period to force the second overtime before pulling away for the win.
"We needed this one. We've got some guys sick, we've got some guys banged up," said 14ers Head Coach Joe Wolf. "We needed to get this win so we can get some rest before we play again on Saturday."
In five meetings with the Vipers this season, Colorado is now 5-0 against their new division rivals. The 14ers also move to within two games of the Austin Toros in the Southwest Division with the win.
Rio Grande Valley got off to a hot start behind the 3-point shooting of Desmon Farmer. Farmer knocked down five of six 3-point attempts in the first half when the Vipers built a 15 point lead. Colorado cut it to a four point game at the half before Rio Grande Valley opened things up again in the third quarter.
Trent Strickland picked up where Farmer left off, and scored 11 of his 24 points in the third as the Vipers took a nine point lead to the final period. Colorado then locked down on Farmer and Strickland, holding the Vipers to just 18 fourth quarter points and forcing overtime tied at 112.
Rio Grande Valley again took a five point lead in overtime before Colorado began another comeback. Rookie Damien Lolar hit the biggest shot of the game, knocking down a 3-pointer from the corner with 21 seconds remaining to tie the score at 121. Kris Collins then missed a running jumper with one second left that would have won it in overtime for the Vipers.
In the second overtime Colorado took control on Brian Greene's 3-pointer that gave the 14ers a 125-123 lead with 1:36 remaining. Colorado built a seven point lead on a Thomas 3-pointer in the final minute and closed it out from the free throw line.
Six of the nine Colorado players seeing action scored in double figures in the win. Farmer posted a game-high 33 points to lead the Vipers in the loss. Collins added 20 points and 10 assists off the bench for Rio Grande Valley in defeat.
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NBA G League Stories from February 19, 2008
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