Texas Border Business
Edinburg, Texas – On Tuesday night the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (9-18) extended its longest winning streak of the season after defeating the Agua Caliente Clippers (11-12), 112-102.
The first quarter got off to a slow start as both teams were finding its rhythm. The Clippers would go on a seven-point run to lead the quarter 7-0. RGV added nine points to the scoreboard while Agua Caliente added seven points to make the score 14-9. The Clippers went on 15 point run and held the Vipers at nine points to end the quarter 29-9.
In the second quarter, the Vipers were determined to fight back. RGV put up 43 points on the scoreboard and only allowed the Clippers to score 30 points which minimized the lead for Agua Caliente to 59-52.
As the second quarter came to an end Brandon Sampson led the Vipers with 14 points and four rebounds. LA Clippers assignee Mfiondu Kabengele led the Clippers with 14 points and eight rebounds followed by Xavier Rathan-Mayes with 12 points and J.J. Avila with 10 points and five rebounds.
After halftime, the Vipers were ready to make the biggest comeback of the night. With 3:07 remaining in the quarter Isaiah Taylor tied the game 77-77. Soon after Jaron Blossomgame became responsible for giving RGV a 79-77 lead. The Vipers would maintain its lead to end the quarter 85-81.
RGV was on a quest to the top and reached its destination when the buzzer hit zero and the Vipers came out victorious 112-102.
Five players for Agua Caliente scored in the double-digits with Kabengele leading the team with a double-double (25 points, 12 rebounds), Clippers two-way player Amir Coffey (15 points), Mayes (14 points, six rebounds), Markel Crawford (11 points) and Avila (10 points, nine rebounds and three assists).
All five starters hit the double-figures for RGV as Sampson led the team with 23 points followed by Ray Spalding with 20 points. Taylor hit his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 assists. Sindarius Thornwell contributed 16 points while Houston Rockets’ two-way player William Howard added 15 points to the scoreboard. Blossomgame dished out 12 points off the bench for the night.
The Vipers will match up with in-state rival Texas Legends on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. CT. For more information, contact the RGV Vipers at 956-56-ARENA or visit www.rgvipers.com.Â
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