VIPERS OBTAIN COMEBACK WIN WITH 41 POINT FOURTH QUARTER 

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Dec. 21, 2022) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (13-5), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, obtained a 125-119 comeback win against the Iowa Wolves (11-7) on Wednesday afternoon during the AT&T Winter Showcase at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The Vipers started from behind as the Wolves scored the opening two-point-shot of the game, but RGV quickly turned things around as the team went on an 8-0 run to take an 8-2 lead. The Vipers continued with the lead until the Wolves tied the game 12-12 and ran away with a 33-26 lead at the end of the first.

As the second quarter tipped off the Vipers did everything in their power to fight for a comeback, but Iowa pulled away with a 66-51 lead at the half. Iowa continued to extend its lead in the third and closed the quarter with an 100-84 lead making the target score for the fourth quarter 125.

The fourth quarter was a hot one for the Vipers as the team came back and scored 41 points while limiting Iowa to only score 19 points. Despite being down by 26 points at the end of the third, the Vipers came back in the fourth quarter and tied the matchup 114-114 after scoring 32 points while only allowing Iowa to score 14. 

RGV then pulled away with a score of 116-114, but a three pointer from Iowa gave the Wolves back a 117-116 lead. The Vipers turned on the pressure on the opposing team and once again turned the lead back to the Vipers which allowed the home team to reach the target score first and walk off with a 126-119 victory.

Houston Rockets assignee, Josh Christopher hit the game winning three and led the Vipers with 28 points. Jalen Lecque hit 23 points. Louis King posted 19 points followed by Houston Rockets Two-Way players Trevor Hudgins with 18 points and Darius Days with 13 points. 

D.J. Carton led all scorers with 31 points. PJ Dozier reached 21 points. Brandon Sampson finished the game with 17 points. Following closely behind were Jordan Bohannon with 14 points and Phillip Wheeler with a double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds. CJ Elleby obtained 10 points.

RGV begins the regular season on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 6:00 p.m. CST against the Delaware Blue Coats at Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware. The game may be streamed via ESPN+. For more information visit www.rgvipers.com.