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G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Vipers Get Coach Finch Win #401

January 31, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release


HIDALGO, TEXAS - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers head coach Chris Finch notched his 401st career-victory in a 112-110 win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders tonight at Dodge Arena.

The Vipers (20-6) are now winners of five-straight while the D-Fenders (8-14) are losers of five-straight.

The D-Fenders hit 12 of their first 13 field goal attempts, including their first 11 inside the arc while jumping out to a 16-16 lead with 4:34 left in the first quarter. Diamon Simpson hit seven of those field goals, all from the inside, while scoring 14 of his team-high 25 points. The Vipers tried to close the quarter on a 9-1 run, but Dar Tucker hit a three-pointer from several feet beyond the left wing at the buzzer to give the D-Fenders a 36-29 lead after shooting 75% (15-for-20) from the field. The Vipers hit 11-of-21 shots (52.4%).

Down 41-32 2:06 into the second quarter, the Vipers went on an 20-0 run powered by two three-pointers by Ernest Scott, one by Jonathan Wallace, one by Garrett Temple, a thunderous slam by Craig Winder, two lay-ups by Mike Harris and two free throws by Antonio Anderson to take the lead at 52-41 until Tucker hit a lay-up at the 5:15 mark. The Vipers hit 14-of-22 (63.6%) shots in the second quarter and held the D-Fenders to 6-for-19 (31.6%) to take a 66-56 lead at halftime.

Joe Crawford hit a three-pointer to bring the D-Fenders within 102-99 with 4:18 remaining in the game, and then 109-107 with 44.1 seconds left after Ryan Forehan-Kelly hit a three-pointer and Simpson hit a free throw. Garrett Temple hit a pair of free throws with 26.1 seconds left to give the Vipers a four-point lead, but Horace Wormely launched a long three with eight seconds left to make it 111-110. Harris hit the first of two free throws, but Crawford missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.

Scott hit a career-high tying six three-pointers in seven attempts while finishing with a season-high tying 20 points. Harris recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

The D-Fenders were led by Simpson, who also had eight rebounds. Dar Tucker finished with 21 points and eight rebounds while Crawford scored 22 points.

The Vipers return to action on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. for game one of a three-game series against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at Tingley Coliseum. With a win, the Vipers will match their franchise record for wins in a single-season, accomplished in each of their first two seasons.

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