G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Farmer Scores 39 As Vipers Smoke D-Fenders

February 17, 2008 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release


Four Rio Grande Valley starters tallied double-figures and Desmon Farmer scored a season high 39 points, 32 coming in the second half, as the Vipers upset the Los Angeles D-Fenders 116-109 Sunday night at Dodge Arena. The win gives the Vipers consecutive wins for the first time since December 29th and consecutive home wins since December 9th. The D-Fenders loss is their first in the last three games after posting back-to-back road wins at Idaho and Tulsa.

The Vipers and D-Fenders traded the lead early, but Los Angeles catapulted out to as much as a 10 point lead in the first half and led 52-43 at the intermission. Rio Grande Valley started a furious second half run as they outscored Los Angles 42-25 in the third quarter to take an 85-77 lead into the final quarter. The D-Fenders fought back to regain the lead from Rio Grande Valley early in the final frame, but a late surge led by Farmer put the seven point win away for Rio Grande Valley.

Trent Strickland tallied a double-double for the Vipers with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Jesse Smith followed up his phenomenal 24-rebound performance on Thursday two rebounds shy of a double-double and 20 points. The Vipers out rebounded Los Angeles 54-46, and 25-15 on the offensive glass. Leading to 28 second-chance points scored by Rio. Los Angles was led by D-League All-Star Sean Banks' 29 points, as he led six D-Fenders in double figures.

The win closes out a five game home stand for Rio Grande Valley. The Vipers will now play four straight away from Dodge Arena to complete their longest remaining road-trip. The Vipers will face the Colorado 14ers on Tuesday afternoon for a 12:00pm CST tip-off.

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