Texas Border Business
Jaron Johnson led Vipers with 28 points and 10 rebounds
HIDALGO, Texas, January 30, 2015The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (13-14) led the entire game in tonight’s 133-126 win over the Texas Legends (15-11) at State Farm Arena.
Three Vipers players scored double-doubles. Jaron Johnson led with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Glen Rice, Jr. followed with 25 points. Toure’ Murry notched 24 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. Nick Johnson added 18 points. Clint Capela scored 17 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks.
Ricky Ledo led the Legends with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Mike James added 21 points.
The Vipers started the game with a 7-0 run before Ledo connected on a shot from behind the arc to put Texas on the scoreboard 7-3. The Vipers largest lead of the first quarter was 28-16 at the 4:11 mark. William Buford responded with a dunk that sent the Legends on a 15-4 run to end the first quarter trailing 32-31.
Jaron Johnson scored 16 of his 28 total points in the second quarter. The Vipers largest lead of the first half was 60-47 with 4:32 remaining in the quarter. With under a minute left, Renaldo Balkman made a layup to close Texas’ deficit to 65-61. Murry followed with two free throws to give RGV a 67-61 advantage at the half.
A dunk from Nick Johnson gave RGV its largest margin of the game, 91-73, with 2:52 remaining in the third quarter. Yuki Togashi responded with a layup for the Legends, but Akil Mitchell followed with a dunk to put RGV’s lead back at 18 points, 93-75.
With 1:04 left in the game, James made a three-pointer to close put Texas within 127-121, but it was not enough to help the Legends overpower the Vipers. RGV won 133-126.
The Vipers hit the road tomorrow for a game in Frisco, Texas versus the Texas Legends. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT). Next week, RGV hosts the Oklahoma City Blue on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. (CT) at State Farm Arena.
Follow the action live all season on FOX Sports 1700 AM or watch games live at NBADLeague.com. For more information about the RGV Vipers 2014-15 season or to purchase season tickets, contact the Vipers at 956-972-1144.
