VIPERS BREAK FRANCHISE RECORD WITH 51 POINT SECOND QUARTER; HUDGINS CAREER-HIGH NIGHT LEADS VIPERS PAST DELAWARE

Wilmington, Del. (Dec. 27, 2022) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (1-0), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, opened up the regular season with a 138-99 victory over the Delaware Blue Coats (0-1) on Tuesday night at Chase Fieldhouse.

The first quarter was an ongoing battle for the lead among both teams as both Delaware and RGV fought to come out on top. With 4:46 left in the quarter the game was tied 16-16. The Blue Coats then went on a 6-0 run and walked away with a 22-16 lead over the Vipers. The home team kept its advantage until the end of the first with a score of 28-25. 

Delaware had the advantage of the second quarter until the Vipers came back and tied the match 38-38. After that, RGV ran away with the lead and went on a 26-0 run making the score 62-38 in favor of the visiting team. The Vipers continued to pick up the momentum and sent the game into halftime with a 76-50 lead. 

At the half Houston Rockets Two-Way players Darius Days (20 points) and Trevor Hudgins (28 points) had a combined score of 48 points. Twenty four out of the 28 points that Hudgins scored were off three-pointers made. The Vipers were shooting 60% from the field and outscored its opponent 51-22. The 51 points scored in the second quarter broke the Vipers franchise record for most points scored in a quarter which was previously set at 50 on January 6, 2018 against the Memphis Hustle.

RGV continued to extend its lead in the third, but the Blue Coats were putting the pressure on the Vipers as the team outscored RGV 31-30. Despite the Blue Coats efforts, the Vipers continued with a 106-81 advantage at the end of the third. RGV maintained the lead throughout the fourth quarter and walked away with a 138-99 victory. 

Hudgins led all scorers with a career-high 35 points. Days followed with a double-double 28 points and 10 rebounds. Cassius Stanley came off the bench and posted 14 points. Both Mustapha Heron and Jalen Lecque finished with 13 points each. Josh Reaves put up 11 points. Ray Spalding closed the night with 10 points. 

Michael Foster Jr. led Delaware with 18 points. Philadelphia 76ers assignee Jaden Springer contributed 17 points followed by Mac McClung with 13 points. Both Skylar Mays and former Vipers player and Philadelphia 76ers Two-Way player, Louis King, finished with 10 points each. 

The action continues for the Vipers on the road during a back-to-back matchup against the Maine Celtics. The first match tips-off on Friday, Dec. 30 at 4:00 p.m. CT followed by Saturday, Dec. 31 at 2:00 p.m. CT at Portland Expo Building. Fans can stream the game via www.NBAGLeague.com.