Craig Winder Leads Vipers To Comeback Win In Return
Published on December 26, 2009 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS - In his season-debut, third-year Viper Craig Winder scored 17 points off the bench to lead the Rio Grande Valley Vipers back from a six-point fourth quarter deficit and past the Austin Toros, 99-95, tonight at Dodge Arena in front of a crowd of 3,912.
Winder connected on 7-of-17 shots in 29 minutes of work while adding three rebounds, two assists and three steals to keep the Vipers undefeated (5-0) at home.
Antonio Anderson clinched the game for the Vipers (8-3) by emphatically blocking a shot attempt by Alonzo Gee with 50 seconds left and hitting a jumper 23 seconds later to give the Vipers a 97-93 lead.
Anderson finished with 16 points, a career-high nine rebounds and five assists.
"I thought early on we played really well, controlled the tempo and pushed our style. Craig was great for us and Antonio was huge on both ends of the floor," Vipers Head Coach Chris Finch said.
The Vipers and Toros (7-5) traded baskets through out the first half as Garrett Temple scored 20 of his 22 points and Dwayne Jones scored 18 of his 27 points for Austin. Jones also added 11 of his 21 rebounds for the double-double. Jones also added seven blocked shots.
Kurt Looby also had a big first half; recording seven of a season-high nine blocked shots in the first half as the Vipers built a 54-50 lead. Looby finished with 12 points and nine rebounds (five offensive) as well.
Up 63-60 with 7:03 to go, the Vipers went on a 7-0 run courtesy of a Jonathan Wallace three-pointer, a Julian Sensley put-back and a Craig Winder lay-up to build a ten-point lead with 5:19 remaining, but the Toros went on a 16-2 run to take a 77-72 lead with 41 seconds left in the quarter. Curtis Jerrells and Gee each had seven points while Jones added a bucket in the run as well.
Wallace tied his career-high by hitting four three-pointers while recording 16 points and a career-high tying eight rebounds.
The Vipers are now winners of two-straight after ending the Toros' four-game winning streak.
The Vipers conclude this three-game home stand on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Toros at Dodge Arena on Winter Texan Night. All Winter Texans can purchase tickets for $5. Fans will receive scratch-off bingo cards, courtesy of El Bingo and Saenz Pharmacy. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are still available and can be purchased through the Vipers at the Pro-Shop at Uptown Plaza on N. 10th St. in McAllen, over the phone (972-1144), or online through Ticketmaster via rgvipers.com.
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