Vipers Win Final Game of the Season Over Reno
Published on April 7, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
Hidalgo, TEXAS - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers topped the Reno Bighorns 144-140 in their last game of the 2011-12 season.
Tyren Johnson led the Vipers with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Kelvin Lewis added 28 points, followed by Courtney Fortson with 21 points. Scott VanderMeer also tallied a double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds.
Josh Selby led the Bighorns with 38 points and 9 assists, and Eric Devendorf contributed 21 points. Antoine Wright recorded 17 points, followed by Mo Charlo with 16 points.
Charlo knocked down the first basket of the game for the Bighorns, but Fortson responded with a shot from behind the arc to take the 3-2 lead for the Vipers. Baskets from Selby and Wright, along with a 3-pointer from Charlo helped Reno take11-5 lead at the 8:38 mark. A few minutes later, a tip shot from Smith tied the game at 21 points. Fortson followed with a 3-point shot to take the 24-21 lead with 4:16 on the clock. Wright responded for Reno with a 3-pointer to tie the game at 24 points, but Lewis recorded a layup to set Rio Grande Valley up 26-24. The Vipers were able to hold on to their lead and headed into the second quarter ahead 39-34.
Rio Grande Valley built their lead up to 45-36 on a layup, plus one at the line from Lewis. However, the Bighorns went on a run that took the 46-45 lead on a shot from beyond the arc by Selby with 8:27 remaining in the half. Reno's lead did not last long. VanderMeer tied the game at 54 points with a layup, and a Marshall Brown tallied a basket took the 56-54 lead. The Vipers maintained momentum and held a 71-59 advantage heading into halftime.
Two shots from the line by Brown helped Rio Grande Valley secure the 83-63 lead early in the third quarter. Reno fought back and closed their deficit to 86-81 at the 4:42 mark. Lewis responded with three consecutive 3-pointers to help the Vipers move ahead to a 95-83 advantage. Reno fought back with shots from Selby and Devendorf, but could not take the lead. At the end of the third quarter, the Vipers were on top, 106-98.
Reno fought throughout the fourth quarter, but never caught up to the Vipers. In the last minute of the game, Selby and Devendorf stepped up for the Bighorns, but could not steal the lead. The Vipers closed the season with a 144-140 win.
The Vipers are set to host Rocket Launch, featuring the Houston Rockets training camp and a matchup between the Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, in October. For more information about 2012-13 Vipers season or Rocket Launch, call the Vipers' front office at 956-972-1144 or visit www.rgvipers.com for the latest information. You can also stay in touch with the Vipers on Facebook or Twitter @rgvvipers.
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