G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Vipers knock off Toros for third straight win

Published on March 22, 2009 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release


Jawad Williams scored a team high 28 points as the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (18-24) netted their third straight victory with a 113-103 victory over the Austin Toros (27-15) Sunday afternoon at Dodge Arena. The Vipers have now won eight out of their last 11 contests, which is a franchise best for an 11 game stretch. The Vipers are now 2-2 this season versus Austin earning a win on each team's home floor.

The Vipers had an explosive first quarter in which the built a 15 point advantage before finishing the quarter up 34-22 shooting 64% from the field. Austin made just seven field goals in the opening frame shooting just 41% from the field.

Austin answered back in the second quarter as they began the contest on a 9-3 run to cut the deficit down to 37-31. Rio Grande Valley held a nine-point lead at half time 64-56. Austin shot 71% on 15/21 shooting in the second quarter and closed the gap to as few as two in the period.

Rio Grande Valley continued to light up the stat sheet in the second half. Jared Jordan dished out seven second half assists en route to his game high total of 15, his third straight game with double digit assists. Kurt Looby was also a solid second half performer as he hauled in 11 of his game high 15 rebounds in the final 24 minutes. Looby finished the game with his seventh double-double of the season adding 14 points to his rebound total while blocking five Austin shots.

The Toros made it interesting in the final quarter. DeMarcus Nelson's three pointer with 6:48 remaining in regulation was the final bucket of a 17-4 run by the Toros to start the fourth giving them a 92-91. It was Austin's first lead since the opening quarter. The Vipers answered back with a 15-2 run capped off by a Jawad Williams lay-up that gave RGV a 108-97 lead, one they would not relinquish.

Nelson scored a game high 39 points in the Toros loss. Marcus Williams struggled with his shot all afternoon finishing with 20 points on 8/21 shooting. Dwayne Jones earned his 13th double-double of the season scoring 16 points with 13 boards. The Toros have now lost six of their last eight contests after winning 10 of their previous 12.

Rio Grande Valley's bench was a big part of their victory. RGV's bench outscored Austin's 33-8 with Craig Winder leading the charge with 13 points off the pine. Julian Sensley scored 10 points off the bench while Trent Strickland scored 18 points and hauled in nine boards in the winning effort.

The Vipers will continue their three game home stand looking to tie the franchise record for consecutive wins on Friday night when they host the Tulsa 66ers at Dodge Arena. It will be Houston Rockets affiliate night as the Vipers will don the uniforms of their NBA affiliate with Clutch the Bear making an appearance as the half-time entertainment. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a professional basketball team in the NBA Development League (NBA D-League). The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. The league has produced 15 percent of the players on 2007-08 end-of-season NBA rosters and continues to develop current NBA coaches and referees. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote youth basketball, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout this season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast. The Vipers NBA affiliates are the Houston Rockets, and the New Orleans Hornets.

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NBA G League Stories from March 22, 2009


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