Adrien, Vipers, Showcase Talent in Win Over Mad Ants

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS – JeffAdrien recorded his seventh double-double in ten games with 30 points and12 rebounds and two blocks as the defending NBA Development League champion RioGrande Valley Vipers beat the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 100-97 Monday at the SouthPadre Island Convention Centre in the final game of day one of the NBADevelopment League Showcase.

Adrien hit12-of-15 shots and 6-of-7 from the foul line.

The Vipers (12-7)are winners of five in a row.

The Vipersopened game on 6-0 run capped by a JerelMcNeal jumper at the 9:36 mark. The Mad Ants (12-8) responded with a 6-0run to tie the game when Marvin Phillipstipped in a shot at the 6:57 mark

Phillipsbrought the Mad Ants within 34-33 with 6:17 remaining in the second quarter,but the Vipers responded with a 10-3 run to go up 44-36 after fourth-year ViperStanley Asumnu hit a free throw with3:02 remaining. The Mad Ants climbed back to within three, but Mustafa Shakur hit a three-pointer withtwo seconds remaining to give the Vipers a 49-43 lead.

Shakurfinished with 19 points and a career-high tying four steals.

TheVipers led 59-55 with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter after McNeal hit athree-pointer, but the Mad Ants went on an 11-5 run, capped by a pair of freethrows by Roderick Wilmont to take a66-64 lead at the 3:16 mark. After the teams traded baskets, McNeal hit athree-pointer near the end of the quarter to knot the game up at 74-74.

Oliver Lafayette hit a pair of free throws to bring theMad Ants within 81-80 with 8:50 remaining, but the Vipers responded with a 9-2run, thanks in-part to three baskets by Adrien to take a 90-82 lead. The Mad Antsresponded with a 13-2 run, capped by a three-pointer by Lafayette to tie thegame and a three-pointer by Wilmont to give the Mad Ants a 95-92 lead withunder four minutes remaining. TerrelHarris and McNeal followed with back-to-back baskets to give the Vipers a96-95 lead with under three minutes remaining.

McNealfinished with 21 points while Harris finished with six points and a career-highfive assists.

Lafayetteled the Mad Ants with 21 points while Wilmont scored 20 points.

The Vipersreturn to action on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the South Padre Island ConventionCentre when they face the Erie Bayhawks during the NBA Development League Showcase.Fans are encouraged to wear red as the game will be televised nationally onVERSUS (channel 314 (SD)/1314 (HD) on Time Warner Cable, channel 151 on Dish Networkand channel 603 on DIRECTV).