SAMUELS JR. LEADS VIPERS TO VICTORY WITH THIRD QUARTER BURST

EDINBURG, Texas. (Jan. 5, 2023) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (3-0), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, defeated the Memphis Hustle (2-2) 118-113 on Friday night at Bert Ogden Arena. 

Memphis scored the opening basket and immediately after, RGV responded with a three-pointer to make the score 3-2. The Hustle then took over the lead and ran with it until the clock struck 3:55 and the Vipers took a 21-20 advantage. The home team remained up top and closed the quarter with a score of 31-26. 

In the second quarter the Vipers had a 16-point lead with a score of 42-26 and 9:38 remaining on the clock, but to end the quarter Memphis clipped the Vipers lead to 63-59. 

Houston Rockets Two-Way Jermaine Samuels Jr. gave the Vipers the upper hand in the third quarter as he put up 13 out of the 20 points scored to make the score 83-71 with 5:56 to go. RGV went on to score 17 more points while only allowing Memphis to score seven points which set the game a 100-78. 

To begin the fourth quarter Memphis went on an 8-0 run to cut the Vipers lead to 100-86, but Memphis was just getting started. What was once a 22-point lead had turned into a nine-point differential which set the score at 110-101 with 5:29 remaining. Memphis inched even closer when the team trailed by just three points with 1:10 remaining and a score of 114-111. Despite the efforts of the Hustle, the Vipers walked away with a 118-113 victory. 

Memphis Grizzlies Two-Way GG Jackson led all scorers with a double-double with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Matt Hurt put up 18 points followed by Memphis Grizzlies assignee Jake LaRavia with 15 points and Timmy Allen with 12 points. Jason Preston had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Also with 11 points was DeJon Jarreau. 

Samuels Jr. led the Vipers with a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 57% from the three-point line and 60% from the field. Darius Days contributed 16 points followed by Jarrett Culver with 15 points. Houston Rockets Two-Way Nate Williams Jr. had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Lecque and Ray Spalding had 10 points each. 

The action continues tomorrow, Jan. 6 as the Vipers take on the Memphis Hustle at 7:30 p.m. CST. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Fang and Farrah pillow courtesy of Driscoll. To purchase tickets, visit www.rgvipers.com.