VIPERS HUSTLE PAST MEMPHIS

Edinburg, Texas (Nov. 17, 2022) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2-1) defeated the Memphis Hustle (2-3) 149-124 on Thursday night at Bert Ogden Arena in game one of a two game series. 

The Vipers put up the first eight points of the game. During the first two minutes of the first quarter RGV led the game 8-0. RGV continued to lead the game for the remaining 10 minutes and closed the quarter with a score of 35-20. 

Tipping-off the second quarter, the Vipers went on a seven-point run allowing the team to extend its lead by 22 points. RGV continued its hot streak throughout the second quarter and sent the game into halftime with a score of 75-54. 

In the third and fourth quarter RGV led by as many as 38 points. With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Memphis closed down the Vipers lead by 26 points, but despite the hustle from Memphis, the Vipers came out with a 149-124 victory. 

Houston Rockets Two-Way player Darius Days paved the way for the Vipers with 28 points and six rebounds. Trailing close behind was Louis King with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists. Houston Rockets assignee TyTy Washington Jr., Houston Rockets Two-Way player Trevor Hudgins and Cassius Stanley all hit 20 points. Trhae Mitchell came off the bench and scored 11 points. 

Memphis was led by Memphis Grizzlies Two-Way player, Kenneth Lofton Jr., with a double-double (29 points and 10 rebounds). Also hitting a double-double were Memphis Grizzlies assignments Xavier Tillman with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Kennedy Chandler with 14 points and 10 assists. Sean McDermott put up 18 points from the bench followed by Memphis Grizzlies Two-Way player Vince Williams Jr. with 15 points and seven rebounds. Dakota Mathias rounded up the list with 12 points.

RGV returns to the court on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. for game two against the Hustle. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Black Panther and Vipers crossover comic book in celebration of the team's Marvel night, presented by DHR Health. To purchase tickets, visit www.rgvipers.com.