Warriors Cruise Past RGV Vipers 107-84
February 23, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (18-17) fell 107-84 to the Santa Cruz Warriors (13-22) tonight at State Farm Arena. The loss snapped the Vipers' six-game home winning streak.
Jaron Johnson led the Vipers with 18 points, followed by Will Cummings with 16 points. Jordan Hamilton added 12 points. Houston Rockets assignee Sam Dekker added 10 points. Chris Walker tallied 9 points and 5 blocks.
Verdell Jones led the Warriors with 40 points. Ronnie Brewer scored 17 points. Aaron Craft recorded a double-double 15 points and 11 assists. Anthony Vereen added 12 points, and Chris Udofia scored 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Mac Koshwal scored the first basket of the game with a dunk to put Santa Cruz on top 2-0. Cummings tied to game with two buckets at the free throw line. The score tied once more at 4 points before the Warriors broke away with a 9-2 run for a 13-6 lead with 7:32 on the clock. The Warriors outscored the Vipers 26-22 in the first quarter.
Carlino made a jump shot midway through the second quarter to steal a 33-32 lead for the Vipers. Udofia responded with a layup for Santa Cruz, but Livingston followed with a layup to put RGV ahead 35-34. This would be the Vipers' last lead of the game. The Warriors answered with a 14-2 run to take their largest advantage of the first half, 50-37, with 1:37 remaining in the first half. At halftime, the Warriors led 52-42.
Santa Cruz continued to control the game throughout the second half. The Vipers closed their deficit to 7 points twice near the end of the third quarter, but could not overcome the Warriors. Jones scored 24 of his total 40 points in the second half to lead Santa Cruz to the 107-84 win.
RGV will be at home for a pair of back-to-back games this weekend versus the Southwest Division rival Texas Legends at State Farm Arena. The City of Edinburg presents Friday's matchup that is set for 7 p.m. Â Vipers title sponsor Lone Star National Bank is giving the first 1,000 fans in attendance Saturday a RGV Vipers replica jersey. Tipoff Saturday is also set for 7 p.m. For more information about the Vipers or purchase tickets, call the Vipers at 956-972-1144 or visit RGVipers.com.
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