Vipers Dominate Thunderbirds
December 20, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS - The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers beat the New Mexico Thunderbirds 116-87 Monday at State Farm Arena in front of a crowd of 3,548.
The Vipers (7-5) led 24-7 at the 3:15 mark of the first quarter after an Anderson reverse lay-up and three three-pointers by adidas player of the game Garrett Temple. The Vipers led 35-16 after a slam by Terrel Harris and extended their lead to 41-20 after a three-pointer by Harris with 8:28 remaining in the second quarter.
Temple hit four three-pointers and 7-of-17 shots overall while scoring a team-high 19 points with six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Harris scored a career-high tying 19 points, hitting 5-of-8 shots, including 3-of-5 from behind the arc, to go with eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Vipers were 9-for-27 from behind the arc, while the Thunderbirds (7-5) were 0-for-11.
The Thunderbirds cut the lead to 52-42 late in the quarter after a lay-up by Shane Edwards, but the Vipers closed the quarter on an 8-1 run to take a 60-43 lead.
Edwards finished with a game-high 20 points.
Mouhammad Faye and Temple opened the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers to give the Vipers a 66-43 lead and extend the run to 14-1.
The Vipers return to action on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. when they host the Texas Legends at State Farm Arena. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive blankets, courtesy of RGV Smiles. Houston Rockets Hall of Fame mascot Clutch the Bear will perform. There will be a free pre-game tailgate party in the parking lot, presented of Pepper's at Uptown. Fans can also purchase the State Farm Family 4 Pack, which is four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $44.
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