Three Pointers Sting Armor in 134-103 Loss at Rio Grande Valley
Published on December 19, 2013 under NBA G League (G League)
Springfield Armor News Release
HIDALGO, Texas - The Springfield Armor (1-8), presented by MGM Springfield, fell victim to a hot-handed Rio Grande Valley (10-1) team as the Vipers connected on 18 three pointers on the night en route to the 31-point victory.
Rio Grande Valley's 18 treys surpassed the previous franchise record for made three pointers by an Armor opponent, set by Bakersfield on February 4, 2011 (16). The Vipers' 134 points were just two shy of their own all-time single-game record for points against Springfield which was 136 done by Rio Grande Valley on February 26, 2010.
The Armor started slow in the first quarter as the high-powered Viper offense took over, using five treys en route to a 35-22 edge after the first 12 minutes. Springfield was able to trim the lead to as little as six with just 1:31 left in the quarter, but seven straight points from Rio Grande Valley to close the period dropped the Armor back by 13.
The Vipers picked up right where they left off in the second quarter, taking their largest lead of the night at 40-24 just 37 seconds in. The teams traded scores over the next seven minutes, but Springfield found the bottom of the bucket at the five minute mark, using a 12-8 run to close the gap to just six at 60-54 with 2:25 remaining. With its lead dwindling, Rio Grande Valley again closed the quarter on a big run, outscoring the Armor 10-1 to enter the locker room with a 70-55 edge.
Forward Gary Forbes led the Armor at the break with 16 points, while fellow forward Dennis Horner added 12 and guard Justin Johnson with 11. The Vipers used the long ball efficiently over the first 24 minutes, shooting 10-of-19 from beyond the arc and 62.2 percent from the floor overall. Springfield went 23-of-41 (56.1 percent) from the field, but just 4-of-11 from three point range and were outrebounded 18-15.
Rio Grande Valley attacked the rim to begin the second half, pushing the lead to 19 just two minutes in. The Vipers were able to stretch their advantage to as many as 24 in the frame, while consistently keeping the Armor in a 20-point deficit through most of the quarter.
Trailing 102-78 entering the fourth, the Armor were outscored 32-25 over the final 12 minutes, dropping their third straight game.
Horner led the way for Springfield with 22 points on the night, while Forbes finished with 18. Forward Marcus Hubbard added 17 points of his own off the bench, but Rio Grande Valley's long range was too much for the Armor.
Springfield now returns home for a 7:00 p.m. Saturday showdown with the Sioux Falls Skyforce on December 21 for the team's annual 'Season of Giving' game before hosting the Maine Red Claws on Sunday, December 22 in a 3:00 p.m. matinee. For more information on the Armor, visit www.ArmorHoops.com or call (413) 746-3263. Keep up with the Armor on Facebook and Twitter !
NBA G League Stories from December 19, 2013
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