Vipers TAke 2-1 Series Lead With Win Over Energy

HIDALGO, TEXAS – The defending NBA Development Leaguechampion Rio Grande Valley Vipers passed the Iowa Energy for the second-bestrecord in the league with a 135-128 victory on Tuesday at State Farm Arena infront of a crowd of 5,408.

The Vipers nowlead the four-game series two games to one.

TheEnergy (20-9) opened the second quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 36-27 lead atthe 8:43 mark. Jeff Adrien respondedwith a basket to break the run. After a technical free throw, Mouhammad Faye hit a three-pointer andadidas Player of the Game Jerel McNealhit a basket to bring the Vipers (19-8) within 37-34 at the 7:13 mark. TheEnergy built their lead to 48-38 after OthyusJeffers hit a lay-up at the 4:49 mark, but the Vipers went on a 22-7 run,capped by a three-pointer from McNeal, to reclaim the lead at 56-54 with lessthan one minutes remaining in the quarter.

McNealfinished with a game-high 27 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-8 frombehind the arc to go with six rebounds and seven assists.

Jeffersled the Energy in scoring with 26 points and 10 rebounds while ChicagoBulls-assignee James Johnsonnarrowly missed a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.The Energy shot 53-for-112 (47.3%), setting a Vipers franchise record for fieldgoal attempts for opponent while tying for the second-most field goals made.

Patrick Sullivan hit the first two three-pointers of hiscareer (he was 0-for-1 from behind the arc in his first 26 games) during thethird quarter while the Vipers outscored the Energy 43-31 to take a 102-87 lead.It was his first ever multi-three pointer game (he was 1-for-5 in four years atSoutheastern Louisiana, with all of those attempts coming during his seniorseason of 2009-10).

TheVipers led 119-106 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Energy went on a12-0 run to pull within one point before Faye hit a three-pointer at the 3:17mark to end the run. Stefhon Hannahhit a pair of free throws to pull the Energy back within two, but HoustonRockets-assignee Ish Smith respondedwith a lay-up. After another free throw, Adrien hit a basket to give the Vipersa 126-121 lead with under two minutes remaining. Hannah hit a lay-up to make ita one-possession game, but Adrien hit another lay-up and then forced a turnoveron the other end to put the game out of reach.

Smithscored 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting with a career-high tying six rebounds,seven assists, two steals and a career-high four blocked shots.

The Vipers andEnergy play game four of this four-game series on Double-Win Wednesday at 7:00p.m. at State Farm Arena. If the Vipers win, all fans in attendance will beable to receive free tickets to the next Vipers home game. Fans can takeadvantage of concessions specials including hot dogs, popcorn and soda for$1.00 each as well as beer for $1.50. Every donation of four non-perishablefood items at the door to benefit the Hoops Against Hunger food drive, presentedby Action 4 News and Clear Channel Radio (KTEX 100.3, Wild 104, The X 105.5,Hot Kiss 106.3 and Classic Hits 1700 AM), will be rewarded with one freeticket. Doors open at 6:00.