G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Nelson Leads Toros To Close Win Over Vipers 106-105

April 9, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release


DeMarcus Nelson scored 30 points , none bigger than his final one a free-throw with 14 seconds remaining in regulation as the Austin Toros beat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 106-105 Wednesday night at the Austin Convention Center. The win for the Toros is their 30th of the season, tying last season's franchise high for wins. The loss is the Vipers second straight away from Dodge Arena.

The Toros nearly threw a knock-out blow on the Vipers at the end of the third quarter when they knocked down a pair of the three-point baskets in the final four seconds by Jamaal Thomas and Carldell Johnson. The two treys gave Austin an 85-71 going into the final quarter. The 14 point lead was the largest of the game at that point for the Toros.

The Vipers didn't let the Toros powerful third quarter surge phase them as they began the fourth quarter on a 19-9 run capped off by an Ernest Scott three-pointer with 5:25 remaining in regulation that cut the deficit to 94-90. Kurt Looby's dunk off an alley-oop pass from Jared Jordan tied the game at 102 with 44 seconds remaining. It was the first tie since it was 2-2 early in the first quarter.

Scott continued his three-point hot streak with 15 seconds remaining, swishing a trey in the right corner off a lobbed inbounds pass from Jordan to tie the game at 105. It was Scott's fourth three pointer of the quarter. On the ensuing possession Trent Strickland fouled Nelson to send him to the line where he made one of two to give Austin the lead they would not surrender. Jordan had a shot blocked and Strickland missed a jumper on the Vipers final possession to seal the win for Austin.

Nelson added 10 rebounds and six assists to his 30 point night, leading six Toros in double-figures. Thomas was huge off the bench scoring 20 and hauling in seven rebounds. Johsnon and Eric Dawson each chipped in with 13, while Dwayne Jones scored 14 with 13 boards to round out the top Toro performers.

Scott scored 15 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Viper bench, which outscored Austin 36-24. Strickand scored a team high 22 and hauled in 12 board for his first double-double since a March 14th win at Idaho. Jordan scored 11 and dished out a team high nine assists while Looby scored nine and brought in 12 board with two swats. New Vipers Rashid Byrd swatted five shots and scored five points in just eight minutes of action.

The Vipers will try to even the season series with the Toros on Friday night when the play their final road game of the season at the Austin Convention Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 pm from the Toros home arena.

Check out the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Statistics



NBA G League Stories from April 9, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central