Patrick Ewing Jr. Too Much for Vipers

RENO, NEVADA –Patrick Ewing Jr. recorded a triple-double to help the Reno Bighorns defeatthe defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers 119-111on Friday at the Reno Events Center.

Ewing finishedwith 26 points, 10 rebounds (four offensive) and 11 assists. He hit 7-of-13shots and 11-of-12 free throws.

The Vipers(4-4) led 56-55 with 2:04 remaining in the second quarter after Marcus Landry converted a three-pointplay. The Vipers followed that by going on a 6-0 run as HoustonRockets-assignee Patrick Pattersonhit a pair of jumpers and PatrickSullivan hit one as well to give the Vipers a 62-57 lead. Ewing. hit a three-pointer at the buzzer tobring the Bighorns (7-1) within 62-60.

Patterson scored21 points and 12 rebounds, his third-straight double-double and fourth of theseason.

The Bighornsscored the first seven points of the third quarter before Antonio Anderson hit a three-pointer at the 10:14 mark to bring theVipers within 67-66. The Vipers climbed within 83-80 after a Garrett Temple lay-up, but the Bighornsscored the next five points to take an 88-80 lead.

Andersonfinished with 20 points while Temple scored 14.

The Viperstook the lead back at 95-93 with 9:32 remaining after Richard Roby converted a four-point play. The Bighorns respondedwith a 13-2 run to take a 106-97 lead. Roby hit a jumper at the 4:50 mark tobreak the run. 

Roby led theVipers with 24 points, including 3-for-6 shooting from behind the arc.

The Vipers andBighorns complete the weekend series on Saturday at 9:00 p.m.