Vipers Clinch First-Ever Winning Season With Record Win Over Jam
February 28, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers scored a franchise record 146 points while clinching their first-ever winning record and upping their all-time record to above.500 (68-67) for the first time since December 2007 by beating the Bakersfield Jam 146-135 tonight at State Farm Arena in front of a crowd of 3,762.
The Jam (10-27) hit 11 of their first 13 shots to build a 29-22 lead with 3:47 to go in the first quarter. The Vipers (26-9) responded with a 12-0 run, fueled in-part by six points from Stanley Asumnu to take a 34-29 lead. The Jam hit just one of their final nine shots of the quarter.
Blake Ahearn hit a runner in the lane plus a free throw to give the Jam a 68-67 lead with 1:32 left in the second quarter, but the Vipers took a 75-71 lead at half time.
"Fortunately we were able to outscore them until we could find a defensive rhythm in the third [quarter]," Vipers head coach Chris Finch said.
The Vipers outscored the Jam 40-23 in the third quarter to take a 115-94 lead and after Kenny Hasbrouck hit a three-pointer to make it 124-103 with 8:28 left, the Jam went on a 13-0 run to pull within 124-116 with 6:33 remaining. Will Daniels scored the last six points of the run. Will Conroy hit a three-pointer to end the run, but Jeremy Wise responded with a three-point play to make it 127-119 with 5:36 left. The Vipers and Jam traded baskets the rest of the way.
Craig Winder led all scorers with a career-high 31 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Conroy finished with a double-double with 22 points and a season-high 17 assists. Hasbrouck finished with 21 points while Kevin Rogers scored 20 points.
The Jam were led by Brian Butch, who scored 28 points to go with 18 rebounds, and Wise, who recorded a team-high 29 points and seven assists.
The Vipers return to action tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. when they play the Springfield Armor at State Farm Arena. The game will count as a road game for the Vipers since it was originally suppose to be played at the MassMutual Center is Springfield, Massachusetts, on February 10. Doors open at 6:30.
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