Vipers Take Game One Of The Finals 124-107 Over 66ers
Published on April 25, 2010 under NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
TULSA, Okla., April 25, 2010 - Larry Owens posted a team-high 21 points, but the largest home crowd in franchise history of 5,453 witnessed the Rio Grande Valley Vipers come away with a Game 1 victory over the Tulsa 66ers 124-107 in the best-of-three series of the NBA D-League Finals on Sunday at the Tulsa Convention Center.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with three lead changes and five times tied. The Vipers built as much as a five-point lead after a Julian Sensley lay-up with 4:17 to go in the period, but the 66ers battled back to tie the score at 27 at the break. Owens led the 66ers with 13 first-quarter points, as they shot 9-for-22 from the field. Sensley put up nine points in the quarter, as the Vipers hit 12-of-23 from the field. Both teams grabbed 13 rebounds apiece in the first quarter.
The 66ers looked to build momentum in the second quarter, and with the score 32-31 in their favor with 9:57 remaining in the first half, Tulsa went on an 18-9 run which gave them a 50-40 advantage following two Latavious Williams free throws with 5:05 on the clock. The Vipers then battled back to take the lead after a 16-4 run, as Sensley hit two free throws that gave the Vipers a 56-54 lead with 1:25 remaining. The 66ers regained a 59-58 lead after a JaJuan Smith free throw but a half-court buzzer beater from Will Conroy gave the Vipers a 61-59 edge at the half. Smith and Sensley each scored 10 points in the quarter, as both teams shot at or above 50 percent from the field in the quarter.
The Vipers looked to take control of the game at the start of the third quarter, as they utilized a 16-8 run to build a 77-67 lead after a Will Conroy conventional three-point play. The 66ers battled back to within five after a 5-0 run, but the Vipers went on 15-6 run thereafter to take a 92-78 lead with 1:06 remaining in the quarter. Rio Grande Valley outscored Tulsa 33-21 in the third quarter, shooting 11-for-19 from the field and took a 94-80 advantage into the final quarter. The 66ers shot 6-for-18 and were out rebounded 14-8 in the third period.
In the fourth quarter, Deron Washington scored 11 points, as the 66ers shot 7-for-21 from the field. Ernest Scott buried three three-pointers in the final period to lead the Vipers with nine points, as they shot 10-for-18 from the field.
Led by Owens, the 66ers finished with five players scoring in double-figures. Washington hit 13-of-16 free throws en route to 20 points, while Smith came off the bench for 18 points and eight rebounds. Wink Adams added 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Williams put up a double-double of 13 points and 13 boards.
The Vipers were led by Mike Harris with 24 points and seven rebounds. Sensley added 21 points while Conroy had a triple-double of 14 points, 16 boards and 11 assists. Craig Winder came off the bench for 18 points, while Antonio Anderson had 17 points and nine assists and Scott went 4-for-5 from three-point range for 12 points.
Both teams travel to Hidalgo, Texas for Game 2 of the Finals at the State Farm Arena on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Game 3 will also take place in Hidalgo, if necessary. Each game of the Finals will air on the VERSUS television network.
NBA G League Stories from April 25, 2010
- Vipers Take Game One Of The Finals 124-107 Over 66ers - Tulsa 66ers
- Rio Grande Valley Vipers Take Game 1 Of NBA D-League Finals - G League
- Vipers Win One from NBADL Title with 124-107 Win in Tulsa - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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