VIPERS FALL TO BULLS IN SHOWCASE QUARTERFINAL

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Dec. 19, 2022) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (12-5), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, fell 102-96 to the Windy City Bulls (11-6) on Monday afternoon during the AT&T Winter Showcase Quarterfinals at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. 

During the first six minutes of the game the Vipers and Bulls had a tight race with a score of 6-5 in favor of the Bulls. As the quarter progressed Windy City managed to pull away with a 14-point lead which sent the game into the second quarter with a score of 26-12.

In the second quarter the Bulls hit the gas and managed to score 38 pints while only allowing the Vipers to score 22 points. At the end of the half the Vipers trailed 64-34. 

RGV went on a hot run in the third quarter and outscored Windy City 31-13. The team came back to minimize the Bulls lead to 12 points and a score of 77-65. 

As the fourth quarter tipped off the target score to claim a victory was 102 points. The Vipers came back from the 12-point deficit and managed to turn things around. Throughout the fourth quarter RGV managed to tie and even take lead of the game, but at the end Windy City would walk away with a 102-96 victory over the Vipers.

Trevor Hudgins led the Vipers and all scorers with 27 points. Louis King hit 21 points and five assists. Houston Rockets Two-Way player Darius Days posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Houston Rockets assignee finished the game with 10 points. 

Chicago Bulls Two-Way player Malcolm Hill led the Bulls with 17 points. Ethan Thompson finished with 15 points. Chicago Bulls Two-Way player Carlik Jones, Nick King and Javon Freeman-Liberty posted 12 points each. Dalen Terry and Henri Drell both hit 10 points.

The Vipers will now play on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Time and opponent are still to be determined. For more information visit www.rgvipers.com or www.NBAGLeague.com.