Texas Border Business
FRISCO, Texas – Houston Rockets assignee Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds as the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (12-25) fell to Texas Legends (20-18) 120-140 on the road.
The Legends tipped off the matchup by leading the first frame 36-29 as Moses Brown reached 13 points coming off the bench. The Vipers struggled while shooting 42.7% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
The Vipers earned their first lead, 49-47, at 7:01 after Rockets assignee Chris Clemons hit a three-pointer. Rio Grande’s power forward Jarell Martin then hit another three-pointer for RGV as he reached the double-digits (11 points) and continuing the lead for the visitors. Brandon Sampson followed Martin as he also hit a three.
RGV tied 68-68 going into the half while improving their field goal shot to 53.7%. Two other Vipers hit double figures at the half; Rockets two-way player William Howard (13 points) and Clemons (10 points). For Texas, Cameron Payne racked up 18 points and Brown totaled 17.
Texas grasped their lead once again,103-95, going into the final frame of the game. RGV continued to shoot 53.1% from the field goal while four of the starters posted double figures. Hartenstein reached a double-double at this point with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Vipers trailed throughout the fourth quarter as Texas held on to their lead at home. The visitors shot 51.2% from the field goal, making 10 three-pointers tonight. The Legends shot 53% from the field and made 14 three-pointers.
Six Vipers players hit the double figures; Hartenstein (27 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists), Clemons (24 points, 7 assists), Isaiah Taylor (19 points, 5 assists), Howard (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Rockets two-way player Michael Frazier (10 points) and from off the bench, Martin (11 points, 5 rebounds).
Eight Texas players hit the double-digits as Payne led with 22 points, five defensive boards, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks. Chad Brown grabbed 10 boards as he totaled eight points. Brandon Fields dished out 11 assists while grasping four rebounds.
The Vipers will head to the West Coast as they face the Santa Cruz Warriors on Friday, February 28. Tip-off is set at 9:00 p.m. CT at Kaiser Permanente Arena. For more information, contact the RGV Vipers at 956-56-ARENA or visit www.rgvipers.com.
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