Vipers Complete Season Sweep of Thunderbirds
February 5, 2011 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
RIO RANCHO, NEW MEXICO - The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers finish the season 5-0 against the New Mexico Thunderbirds after a 116-96 victory on Saturday at Santa Ana Star Center.
The Vipers (21-9) are now winners of 14-of-16.
The Vipers opened the game on a 7-2 run during the opening two minutes, but after Walter Sharpe hit a basket, Abdulai Jalloh hit three free throws to tie the game. The Vipers responded with an 8-0 run as Houston Rockets-assignee Ish Smith, hit a lay-up, Richard Roby had a dunk, Mouhammad Faye hit a three-pointer and Jerel McNeal hit a free throw to make it 15-7 Vipers with 6:57 remaining in the first quarter.
Smith posted his third double-double with 10 points and 13 assists. The Thunderbirds (14-19) had fewer assists as a team, finishing with 12.
The Vipers extended their lead to 25 points at 73-48 when Connor Atchley drained a three-pointer with 6:31 remaining in the third quarter. The Vipers grew got their lead to 27 at 105-78 after Jeff Adrien hit a hook shot with 8:16 remaining.
Adrien recorded his 16th double-double in 21 games with 25 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and one block.
The Vipers outscored the Thunderbirds 14-to-4 in second chance points and 30-14 in fast break points.
The Thunderbirds were led by Dar Tucker, who finished with 24 points. Shane Edwards scored 20 points while Josh Bostic had 15.
The Vipers continue this 10-day, five-game, three-state, two-time zone road trip on Monday when they face the Utah Flash at the McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah, at 8:00 p.m.
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