VIPERS FALL 109-90 IN BIRMINGHAM
By Rio Grande Valley Vipers Staff /December 11, 2023
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Dec. 8, 2023) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (6-5), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, were defeated 109-90 by the Birmingham Squadron (5-5) on Friday afternoon at Legacy Arena at the BJCC.
RGV jumped to a 15-7 lead in the first six minutes of the quarter, but the tight race for the lead began when the clock hit 3:58 and the Squadron tied the game 17-17. The Vipers then pulled away with a 19-17 advantage, but the Squadron then came from behind and took a 26-24 lead with less than 30 seconds to go. However, the Vipers scored in the last four seconds of the quarter and tied the game 26-26.
The first three minutes of the second quarter were filled with multiple lead changes and one tie, but the Vipers then pulled away and maintained a lead of 45-43 until the clock hit 3:15. After that the game had five lead changes but, in the end, Birmingham walked away with a 50-49 lead at the half.
In the third quarter the Squadron maintained the lead and had a 10-point advantage over the Vipers with 5:47 to go and a score of 71-61. RGV then managed to shorten that lead to three points at the end of the third with a score of 82-79.
During the fourth quarter the Vipers struggled to find its rhythm which resulted in a 109-90 loss to the Squadron.
Houston Rockets assignment Cam Whitmore led the Vipers with a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Darius Days and Houston Rockets assignment Amen Thompson scored 14 points each. Houston Rockets Two-Way Jermaine Samuels Jr. finished with 12 points followed by Jarrett Culver with 10 points. Houston Rockets Two-Way Nate Hinton posted 11 rebounds.
Malcolm Hill led all scorers with 33 points. Izaiah Brockington had 17 points followed by Tevian Jones with a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Galen Robinson Jr. contributed 15 points while Jalen Crutcher had 14 points. Trey Jemison had 16 rebounds.
A rematch is set between both teams for tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. CST at Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Fans can stream the game via www.NBAGLeague.com. For more information visit www.rgvipers.com.