
Vipers Fall Short to Memphis at Home
February 22, 2020 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
EDINBURG, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (12-24) came out short in the second half as Memphis Hustle (26-11) obtains 116-113 comeback win at Bert Ogden Arena.
The game tipped off with a slow start for both teams. Coming out on top was RGV with a score of 18-13. The Vipers extended the lead even further with racking up 16 points to end the first quarter 34-19.
As the game progressed Memphis would shorten the Vipers lead by 10 points and sent the game into halftime with a score of 64-54.
As the third quarter started RGV was still on top, but Memphis managed to shorten the Vipers lead as Shaq Buchanan, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Marquis Teague and Venky Jois tallied 31 points and sent the game to the final frame off to a score of 92-85.
Things quickly got heated on the court as 7:30 minutes remained in the final quarter of the game. Memphis added nine points to the scoreboard and only allowed the Vipers offense to score four points before Memphis two-way player, Yuta Watanabe, tied the game 96-96.
The Vipers jumped out and took control of the game once again, but Memphis tied the game with less than 3:00 minutes remaining on the clock 106-106. As the final seconds winded down the Hustle would come from behind and obtain a comeback win of 116-113.
Six out of the eight players from Memphis reached double figures starting off with Watanabe who reached a double-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Teague fell behind from a double-double as he totaled 22 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Buchanan tallied 21 points, nine rebounds. Jefferson added 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Jois totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Ahmad Caver rounded up the list with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Houston Rockets assignee Isaiah Hartenstein paved the way for the Vipers with a double-double with 24 points (57.1% from the field), 13 rebounds and six assists. Following closely behind was Rockets two-way player Michael Frazier who contributed 23 points, four rebounds and five assists. Frazier made five 3-pointers while Rockets assignee Chris Clemons made four.
Clemons sent out 19 points and dished out six assists. Sindarius Thornwell also fell short on a double-double tonight as he powered out 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Brandon Sampson closed off the list of double-digits scoring with 11 points from off the bench.
The Vipers finished the night shooting 51.1% from the field making 16 three-pointers. The Hustle ended their night shooting 47.9% from the field.
The Vipers will go on a three-road game series starting off on Wednesday, Feb. 26 against Texas Legends at 7:00 p.m. CT in Comerica Center. For more information, contact the RGV Vipers at 956-56-ARENA or visit www.rgvipers.com.
NBA G League Stories from February 22, 2020
- Skyhawks Use Big Fourth Quarter to Pick up Win over Erie - College Park Skyhawks
- Vipers Fall Short to Memphis at Home - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Hustle Sweep Lone Star State, Defeat Vipers 116-113 - Memphis Hustle
- Balanced Attack Leads Skyforce Past Blue - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Greensboro Drops Home Game to Capital City - Greensboro Swarm
- Lakers Gaming Drafts Three Players to Fill 2020 Roster - South Bay Lakers
- McCallum Ties Career High, Bulls Close out Suns 109-95 - Windy City Bulls
- Led by Lecque, Resilient Suns Just Fall at Windy City - Northern Arizona Suns
- Greensboro Completes Trade with Oklahoma City - Greensboro Swarm
- Detroit Pistons Sign Donta Hall to a 10-Day Contract - Grand Rapids Drive
- Timberwolves Assign Jacob Evans III to G League Affiliate Iowa Wolves - Iowa Wolves
- Red Claws' Rally Falls Short - Maine Celtics
- Blue Coats Acquire Dennis Clifford - Delaware Blue Coats
- Payne Puts up 33 But Vipers Strike in Second Half - Texas Legends
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