Last-Second Buzzer-Beating Three Propels Vipers over 66ers 94-91 for NBA D-League Title
Published on April 27, 2010 under NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
HIDALGO, Texas, April 27, 2010 - Larry Owens shot 12-of-17 from the field to lead the Tulsa 66ers with 25 points, but a last second banked in three-pointer from Craig Winder propelled the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to a 94-91 victory and the NBA D-League Championship on Tuesday at the State Farm Arena.
Owens and Deron Washington each scored six points during a first quarter that saw nine lead changes and two ties. Mike Harris led the Vipers with six points, as they shot 10-for-22 from the field while the 66ers shot 9-for-19 in the quarter. Rio Grande Valley took a 24-22 lead into the break, following an Antonio Anderson conventional three-point play.
An 11-5 run to start the second quarter gave the Vipers a 35-27 lead after Julian Sensley converted a conventional three-point play with 6:15 remaining in the first half. The 66ers battled back with a 16-6 run of their own and grabbed a 43-39 lead with 35 seconds remaining in the period following a Washington lay up. The 66ers took a 43-42 edge into halftime after shooting 9-for-21 from the field, while holding the Vipers to 7-for-23 shooting. Latavious Williams scored eight points in the second quarter for Tulsa, while Harris scored seven for Rio Grande Valley.
The Vipers started the third quarter with an 11-4 run, taking a 53-47 lead with 8:49 remaining after a Jonathan Wallace lay-in. Again, the 66ers battled back with an 8-0 run, as a Washington jumper gave Tulsa a 55-53 edge with 5:09 left. There were four lead changes and five ties the remainder of the quarter, as the 66ers had a 67-64 lead going into the final quarter. Washington scored eight points as the 66ers shot 9-for-22, while Harris had 11 points as the Vipers shot 8-for-20.
The 66ers built as much as a six-point advantage at 76-70 with 8:16 remaining in the game, after a Williams dunk. A Winder three-pointer with 6:09 on the clock sparked a 7-0 run for the Vipers, as they grabbed an 82-80 edge with 5:21 remaining in the game. Owens scored nine straight points for Tulsa, as they built an 89-84 lead with 2:38 on the clock. A lay up by Ernest Scott and Harris in back-to-back possessions for the Vipers tied the game at 91, leading to the last second victory. The 66ers shot 10-for-19 in the final quarter, as Owens scored 11 points. The Vipers connected on 12-of-24 attempts, as Winder had 14 points in the period.
Led by Owens, the 66ers finished with four players in double-figures scoring. Washington finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Williams came off the bench for 14 points and eight boards. JaJuan Smith added 13 points off the bench for Tulsa.
The Vipers were led by Harris with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Winder came off the bench for 16 points, while Will Conroy added 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Anderson added 11 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Rio Grande Valley.
NBA G League Stories from April 27, 2010
- Last-Second Buzzer-Beating Three Propels Vipers over 66ers 94-91 for NBA D-League Title - Tulsa 66ers
- Rio Grande Valley Vipers Win 2010 NBA D-League Championship - G League
- Vipers Win First NBADL Championship In Front of Record Crowd - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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