Wizards charm the Vipers
December 22, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Dakota Wizards News Release
BISMARCK, N.D.: The Dakota Wizards started where they left off last night beating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 133 - 123 at the Bismarck Civic Center Saturday night and grabbing a game and a half lead first place in the central division.
Led by forward Carlos Powell, who scored 12 of his 35 points in the first quarter, the Wizards jumped out to a 40 - 16 lead. The Vipers then went on a 15 - 3 run to cut the lead to 12 with eight mins remaining in the half. Dakota answered with a run of their own after a three pointer by guard Blake Ahearn off the bench gave the Wizards a 19 point advantage and the they never looked back.
"We were fortunate in the first half to hit our shots from the perimeter," said Wizards head coach Duane Ticknor. " When we do that it really opens the floor for guys like Carlos and Moe to get in the paint and make plays".
Powell had his first double-double of the year when he added a season high 10 assists to go along with his 35 points and eight rebounds. Guard Maurice Baker also grabbed a double-double scoring 21 of his 23 points in the second half and pulled down a game high 12 boards and dished seven assists, while rookie guard Ahaern connected on six of nine attempts from long distance finishing with 23 points.
The Vipers, now 7-5 were carried by guards Kenny Taylor and CJ Watson who scored a combined 61 points. Taylor connected on 8 of 13 three-point attempts and finished with 29 points, while Watson flirted with a triple-double with 32 points 15 assists and nine boards.
The Wizards, now 7-4 travel to Des Moines for a Christmas Day match up with the divisional rival Iowa Energy. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm CT and can be heard on KFYR 550 AM along with www.dakotawizards.com. The Vipers get to spend the Christmas holiday with their families before meeting up again in Fort Wayne on Friday for a battle with the Mad Ants.
NBA G League Stories from December 22, 2007
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- Mad Ants defeat Energy in OT - Indiana Mad Ants
- Vipers Lose Third Straight; Fall to Wizards 133-123 - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- D-Fenders extend win streak to six games - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Trail Blazers Recall Taurean Green From Idaho Stampede of NBA D-League - Idaho Stampede
- Pistons recall Samb - Indiana Mad Ants
- Sammy Mejia added to Mad Ants roster - Indiana Mad Ants
- Utah Flash Game Notes - Utah Flash
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