Vipers Record 100th Franchise Victory

FRISCO, TEXAS – The defending NBA Development Leaguechampion Rio Grande Valley Vipers recorded their 100th franchisevictory and their first win at Dr. Pepper Arena with by beating the TexasLegends 122-112 on Tuesday.

The Vipers (24-11)opened the game on a 7-0 run and led by as many as 14 when Jerel McNeal hit a three-pointer to make it 28-14 Vipers at the4:06 mark of the first quarter.

The Legends(17-19), however, outscored the Vipers 23-8 over the next 7:19 to take theirfirst lead at 37-36 when Justin Dentmonhit a three-pointer. Jon Scheyerfollowed with his first basket as a Viper 11 seconds later to bring the Vipersback within one. The Vipers trailed by as many as eight at 54-46 with 3:24remaining in the second quarter after AntonioDaniels hit a technical free throw and again at 58-50 after Kelvin Lewis hit a lay-up. The Vipersclosed the quarter on a 6-0 run to pull within 58-56.

Mouhammad Faye gave the Vipers the lead back twice inthe third quarter, with a three-pointer to make it 68-67 at the 8:09 mark, anda three-point play to make it 80-79 at the 3:43 mark. Both times the Legendstook the lead right back, but PatrickSullivan connected on a transition slam dunk and Terrel Harris hit a driving lay-up as the Vipers took an 84-81 leadwith 2:43 remaining in the third quarter.

The Legendstied the game at 91-91 after a Lewis jumper early in the fourth, but the Viperswent on a 13-5 run capped by a TerrelHarris dunk to take a 104-96 lead midway through the fourth quarter. TheLegends scored the next six points to get back within two, but that was asclose as they got.

Jeff Adrien recorded his league-leading 20thdouble-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Richard Roby scored 22 points while tying his career-high with fiveassists and Faye finished with a career-high 20 points.

The Legendswere led by Dominique Johnson, whoscored 24 points with a season-high 10 rebounds.

The Vipersoutrebounded the Legends 53-to-30 and 23-to-10 on the offensive glass.

The Vipersreturn to action on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. when they face the Maine Red Clawsat the Portland Exposition Center.