Vipers Bite Down on 66ers During Matinee Game
December 18, 2008 - NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
Tulsa, Okla., December 18, 2008 - Ronald Dupree scored a game-high 25 points for the Tulsa 66ers, but it was not enough to defeat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers during the first of two Kids Day games this season at the SpiritBank Event Center. The Vipers led throughout in a 89-80 victory.
"We showed spurts where we played pretty well, and others where we were discombobulated" 66ers Head Coach Paul Woolpert said. "That's been the story of our season so far."
The Vipers jumped out to an early 28-17 lead in the contest, forcing eight 66ers turnovers in the first quarter. Smush Parker led the charge early, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the period.
The 66ers fought back from a 14-point halftime deficit. They went on a 23-10 run in the third quarter to cut the Viper lead to 56-57, after Jeremy Kelly hit a shot and a free throw with 4:24 left in the third quarter. The Vipers subsequently went on a 9-0 run of their own to start the fourth quarter, giving them a 73-62 lead with eight minutes left in the game.
"We have got to be more consistent at the offensive end," Woolpert said. "We have to do a better job of getting the ball to places where we can score the ball."
Keith Clark came off the bench to score 15 points and grab nine rebounds, while Kelly finished with 12 points, Chris Richard grabbed 13 rebounds.
Alpha Bangura scored a team-high 19 points off the bench for the Vipers, while Kendall Dartez added 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Trent Strickland added 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory.
Rio Grande Valley (5-5) continues their four-game road trip on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Iowa Energy before heading to Austin on Sun., Dec. 21.
Tulsa (2-7) plays the Colorado 14ers on Saturday, Dec. 20 at home, before heading to Colorado on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
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