Vipers Take Home Opener over Idaho 110-106
November 13, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (1-0) topped the Idaho Stampede (0-1) 110-106 in the team's home opener tonight at State Farm Arena.
Raphiael Putney scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Vipers. Joshua Smith followed with 20 points. Jaron Johnson added 16 points and 9 rebounds. Houston Rockets assignee K.J. McDaniels also added 16 points. Chris Walker tallied 13 points and Will Cummings scored 11 points.
Treveon Graham led the Stampede with 21 points. E.J. Singler scored 20 points and Brandon Fields added 19 points. Jeff Ayres scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. J.J. O'Brien recorded 12 points.
Throughout four quarters both teams battled for control of the game. The lead changed ten times during the first quarter with Idaho coming out on top 28-25.
Fields scored 8 of his 19 total points in the second quarter to lead the Stampede. A shot from behind the arc by Jaron Johnson gave RGV its largest lead of the first half 54-49 with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. Idaho finished the quarter on a on a 5-0 run to tie the game at 54 points at halftime.
The Stampede broke ahead by six points twice in the third quarter. With 2:10 on the clock, Riley made a jump shot to put Idaho ahead 79-73. Threatt responded with a shot that sent RGV on a 5-0 run to close the Vipers' deficit to 79-78 with 0:48.8 on the clock. Singler and Zimmerman responded with back-to-back buckets to give Idaho a 83-78 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Vipers outscored the Stampede 32-23 points in the fourth quarter. With 2:39 remaining in the game, Smith made a layup to give RGV its largest lead of the game 105-96. Idaho responded with a 9-2 close the gap to 107-105. A hook shot from Smith and a free throw from Walker sealed the Vipers win 110-106.
The Vipers are back in action tomorrow night for another game versus the Stampede at State Farm Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (CST). Each Saturday this season, the Vipers will host a pregame tailgate party at 5 p.m. in the east parking lot at State Farm Arena. Food and beverages will be available courtesy of L&F Distributors and Pepper's at Uptown.
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