Toros drop Vipers for ninth straight home victory
Published on January 4, 2008 under NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release
AUSTIN, TX - In a game befitting the new rivalry between the two Texas D-League teams, several players had to be cleaned up after cuts in the 1st half. In the end, the Austin Toros outlasted the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 115-107. The teams will meet again Saturday night, also at the Austin Convention Center.
Kris Lang, one of the bandaged players, recorded a season-high 32-points in just his 3rd game with the Toros. The former North Carolina Tar Heel was 13-of-18 shooting, displaying an array of hook shots, short jumpers and emphatic slam dunks.
RGV led 81-79 after three quarters. But that would be the Vipers' last lead of the game. Toros guard Kenton Paulino hit a three pointer to put Austin in front 82-81. Paulino would hit 2 more three-pointers, including one with 2:10 remaining give Austin a 10 point lead, 108-98. One minute later, Spurs Assignee Ian Mahinmi would give Austin its largest lead at 111-100 on a two-handed dunk. Paulino finished with a season-high 14-points, all in the 4th quarter.
The Toros had 5 players score in double-figures (Lang 32, Mahinmi 23, Justin Bowen 20, Marcus Williams 15 & Paulino 14).
CJ Watson led RGV with 27 points, including 4 three-pointers. Craig Winder, who played his college basketball a few miles away at the University of Texas, scored 23 points for the Vipers off the bench.
The Vipers took a 52-50 halftime lead after CJ Watson intercepted a pass and scored a layup with 3-seconds left in the 2nd quarter. The first half was back and forth, with six ties and five lead changes. RGV outrebounded Austin 24-16 in the 1st half.
Austin improves to 11-4 on the season (9-0 at home). Rio Grande Valley falls to 9-6 on the season (4-4 on the road).
NBA G League Stories from January 4, 2008
- Idaho Notches Sixth Straight Win - Idaho Stampede
- Flash hand Bakersfield 12th road loss - Utah Flash
- Skyforce outlasts Energy at home - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Toros drop Vipers for ninth straight home victory - Austin Spurs
- Toros Take Round Three, Beat Vipers - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- D-Fenders dominate Wizards - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- D-Fenders Reacquire Jelani McCoy - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- D-League Daily Developments - G League
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