Austin Spurs Defeat Rio Grande Valley Vipers 119-117 in Second-Straight Overtime Game
Published on January 5, 2020 under NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release
CEDAR PARK, Texas (Jan. 5, 2020) - The Austin Spurs (12-9), presented by SWBC, defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (6-18) by a final score of 119-117 in their second-straight overtime game on Sunday afternoon at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
San Antonio Spurs assignee Keldon Johnson led the Spurs in scoring with 24 points (11-16 FG, 2-3 FT) in 27 minutes of play. Spurs assignee Luka Samanic finished the game with a double-double, posting 21 points (8-16 FG, 3-6 3FG, 1-1 FT) and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes, while Spurs assignee Chimezie Metu chipped in 15 points (7-11 FG, 1-1 FT) and 8 rebounds in 25 minutes. In his first game with the Austin Spurs since being traded from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Angel Rodriguez recorded 16 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 3FG, 1-2 FT) in 24 minutes off the bench. Drew Eubanks also finished the game in double-digit points with 10 points (5-9 FG) to go along with 2 blocked shots and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes.
In the first half, the Spurs established what would end up being their biggest lead of the game (12) with 25.3 seconds left in the first quarter. The game remained close, but the Spurs took a 59-53 lead going into the half. Rodriguez led the way for the Spurs in the first half, scoring 10 of his 16 points, while Houston Rockets assignee Chris Clemons scored 20 of his 40 points in the first half for Rio Grande Valley.
With 9:40 left in the third quarter, the Vipers took their first lead of the game at 62-61. The two teams continued to go back and forth in the second half as the lead changed eight times, while also being tied on nine separate occasions.
The Spurs held a four-point lead at 112-108 with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter, but Isaiah Taylor scored 4 points in the final minute and half for the Vipers to tie the score at 112 and send the game to overtime.
Johnson scored 6 of Austin's 7 points in overtime, including the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds left, allowing the Spurs to come away with the 119-117 victory.
For the Vipers, Clemons led all scorers with 40 points in 36 minutes of play. Taylor finished the game with 16 points in 27 minutes coming off the bench, while Michael Frazier II posted 14 points in 36 minutes. William Howard recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.
The Austin Spurs hit the road for their next game to take on the Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Cox Convention Center. For tickets or the full season schedule, visit austinspurs.com.
NBA G League Stories from January 5, 2020
- Austin Spurs Defeat Rio Grande Valley Vipers 119-117 in Second-Straight Overtime Game - Austin Spurs
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