Vipers' Magic Number Down to One
March 5, 2011 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA - The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers lowered their magic number to clinch a second consecutive playoff berth to one with a 126-111 win over the Bakersfield Jam on Saturday at the Jam Events Center.
The Vipers (28-12) will clinch a playoff berth with a win or if both the Austin Toros (17-22) and Idaho Stampede (16-22) lose one game each.
The Vipers hit 10 of their first 16 shots, including 4-of-6 by Jerel McNeal who scored nine quick points while the Vipers jumped out to a 25-13 lead in the opening eight minutes.
McNeal led all scorers with 31 points to go with five rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Down 29-22 at the end of the first, the Jam (24-15) opened the second quarter on a 9-1 run to pull within 31-10 after Adam Koch converted a three-point play at the 10:41 mark. The Vipers maintained their lead until late in the quarter. With 55.1 seconds remaining, Tiny Gallon hit a jump-hook to give the Jam their first lead since it was 2-0 at 57-56. Richard Roby responded with a three-pointer to give the Vipers the lead back and start an 8-0 run to give the Vipers a 64-57 halftime lead.
The Jam came back to tie the game and take the lead a few times in the third quarter, but never led by more than three points. The Jam got within three after Gallon hit a jumper with three seconds left, but the Vipers moved the ball quickly up the court, and Mouhammad Faye banked-in a deep three-pointer from the right wing to give the Vipers a 94-88 lead.
Faye scored 20 points, as did Terrel Harris. Jon Scheyer had his best game,s coring 17 points with four rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.
The Jam were led in scoring by Trey Johnson, who scored 26 points. Drew Naymick recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Los Angeles Clippers-assignee Willie Warren scored 15 points with 10 assists.
The Vipers return home on Monday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. at State Farm Arena when they host the Sioux Falls Skyforce. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive rally towels, courtesy of AT&T Real Yellow Pages. Fans can exchange their old phone book for a new one from AT&T Real Yellow Pages. Fans can take advantage of the State Farm Family 4 Pack, which is four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $44. Additionally, fans can purchase hot dogs, popcorn and soda for $1 each as well as $1.50 beer at the concession stand. Fans can receive a free ticket by donating four non-perishable food items to the Salvation Army food drive starting when the doors open at 6:00 p.m.
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