Los Angeles Falls To Rio Grande Valley In Overtime

Published on January 3, 2010 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO, CA- The Los Angeles D-Fenders fell to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 108 to 101, in a back and forth overtime battle. D-Fenders' Joe Crawford led his team with 23 points, while teammate Diamon Simpson finished with 19 points. Vipers' Antonio Anderson led the game in scoring with 26 points and Julian Sensley added 21 points and nine assists.

Rio Grande Valley trailed Los Angeles 20 to 28 at the end of the first quarter. Crawford of the D-Fenders led his team with seven points, while teammate Simpson contributed with six points and four rebounds. Anderson carried the Vipers with eight points to end the first quarter.

The Los Angeles D-Fenders sustained the lead throughout the first half, outscoring the Vipers 18 to 16 in the second quarter, bringing the half to a close at 46 to 36. Simpson finished the first half for Los Angeles with 11 points and eight rebounds. Vipers' Anderson continued to lead his team with 14 points. The D-Fenders forced 15 turnovers (19 points) contributing to their halftime lead.

Rio Grande Valley came back with a 73 to 68 lead, outscoring Los Angeles 37 to 22 in the third quarter. Vipers' Anderson and Sensley both posted 16 points, while Joey Dorsey grabbed a double-double for the Vipers with 11 points and 10 rebounds at the close of the third. D-Fenders' Simpson and Crawford poured in 11 points apiece, finishing off the third quarter.

The D-Fenders rallied in the fourth quarter scoring 24 points over the Vipers' 19, ending the quarter at a 92 to 92 tie. Los Angeles out-rebounded Rio Grande Valley 13 to 6 at the end of the fourth quarter. Simpson led the D-Fenders with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Anderson led the Vipers with 22 points, entering overtime.

"The good thing is, in the pros we have little time to worry about a loss because we have another game right away. They (Rio Grande Valley) are the top team in the Western Conference so this shows you where we stand," said Head Coach Chucky Brown. "It was a good game, I felt like we could have done a lot of things different to come out on top, but they are a good team so we have to give them credit."

The Los Angeles D-Fenders take on the Maine Red Claws, Monday January 4 at 12:45pm in Boise Idaho. Tune in to www.nba.com/futurecast to watch the game.

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