Rio Grande Valley Rattles off Win over Raptors 905 at NBA D-League
Published on January 9, 2016 under NBA G League (G League)
Raptors 905 News Release
SANTA CRUZ, CA - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (12-8) defeated Raptors 905 (5-16) by a score of 125-119 during Saturday's action at the 2016 NBA Development League Showcase in Santa Cruz, CA.
Houston Rockets assignee K.J. McDaniels led the way for the Vipers with 28 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting from the field and five-of-eight from deep. All five Rio Grande Valley starters hit double-digit point totals, which included 21 points and 10 assists for Will Cummings. Raphiael Putney recorded 14 points and eight rebounds in the win.
Ronald Roberts, Jr. finished with a game-high 29 points on 12-of-15 shooting from the field. Melvin Johnson III came off the bench and connected on 6-of-10 three-pointers on his way to a season-high 26 points, while Axel Toupane notched 25 points and 10 assists.
Both teams came out shooting a combined 22-of-40 from the field (55 percent), but Raptors 905 held a 30-25 lead after one behind Roberts Jr.'s 11 first-quarter points. McDaniels put up eight points for Rio Grande Valley, and the Vipers' bench combined to score 10 points in the opening frame.
Joshua Smith scored nine points to lead the Vipers in the second quarter, but they still trailed 53-51 at halftime. In the second quarter, Johnson III nailed all three shots he took from beyond the arc, part of a five-of-eight effort from three-point land in the quarter.
Roberts, Jr. put up 14 points in the third quarter for Raptors 905, but Rio Grande Valley's 36-point quarter was fueled by Johnson's 11 points, which put the Vipers in front by a score of 87-85 going into the fourth quarter.
McDaniels helped put the game away for Rio Grande Valley by notching 13 of his 28 points in the final frame.
Raptors 905 will continue their road trip on Tuesday, Jan. 12 against the Sioux Falls Skyforce at 7:30 p.m. ET. Rio Grande Valley will also play their next game on the road, facing the Reno Bighorns on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. ET.
NBA G League Stories from January 9, 2016
- Rio Grande Valley Rattles off Win over Raptors 905 at NBA D-League - Raptors 905
- Rio Grande Valley Rattles off Win over Raptors 905 at NBA D-League - G League
- L.A. Clippers Recall Wilcox from Canton - Cleveland Charge
- Stampede Defense Fuels Idaho's 98-92 Win at NBA D-League Showcase - Idaho Stampede
- Stampede Defense Fuels Idaho's 98-92 Win at NBA D-League Showcase - G League
- Gutierrez's Triple-Double Leads Charge Past D-Fenders at NBA D-League Showcase - Cleveland Charge
- Gutierrez's Triple-Double Leads Charge Past D-Fenders at NBA D-League Showcase - G League
- Ejim's Buzzer Beater Gives BayHawks Win at NBA D-League Showcase - Erie BayHawks
- Warriors Fall Short to Iowa at NBA D-League Showcase - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Energy Shake off Late Rally by Warriors to Seal Victory - G League
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.
