Vipers Move Into First Place In Front of Sellout Crowd

HIDALGO, TEXAS – The defending NBA Development Leaguechampion Rio Grande Valley Vipers are now tied with the Tulsa 66ers at the topof the Western Conference standings after a 106-97 victory over the Sioux FallsSkyforce on Tuesday at State Farm Arena in front of a sellout crowd of 5,653.

The Skyforce(10-32) opened the game on a 6-0 run powered by a basket, a, steal and anassist by Patrick Ewing Jr. Richard Roby broke that run for theVipers (29-13) by hitting back-to-back baskets. Mouhammad Faye followed with a pair of free throws and Roby bankedin a lay-up to give the Vipers an 8-6 lead. The Vipers extended the run into a21-6 run, taking a 32-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Roby hit all sixof his shot attempts for 12 of his team-high 27 points.

Roby hit12-of-20 shots while also recording eight rebounds, two assists and threesteals.

The Skyforcegot as close as 47-38 after a pair of free throws from Stephen McDowell at the 4:45 mark, but Jon Scheyer responded with a three-pointer and the Vipersmaintained their lead, going up by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, untillate in the fourth quarter. After Scheyer hit a floater to give the Vipers a100-87 lead with 4:44 remaining, Ewing hit a pair of free throws, McDowell hita jumper and then Ewing hit another pair of free throws to bring the Skyforcewithin 100-93 with 3:01 remaining. Roby responded with a driving lay-up, but Sean Marshall hit a basket and Ewinghit two more free throws to make it 102-97 with 1:06 remaining. Roby missed ashot but grabbed the rebound and put the ball back in with 40.6 secondsremaining to put the game out of reach.

Ewing finished14-for-14 from the foul line while scoring a game-high 35 points to go withfive rebounds.

Scheyer scoreda career-high 24 points on a career-best 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-for-6from behind the arc, to go with a career-high eight assists and a career-hightwo blocked shots. Faye recorded his second-straight double-double and fifth ofthe season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. ConnorAtchley  scored 15 points withsix rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots.

The Vipers welcomethe Austin Toros to State Farm Arena for the final time this season on Fridayat 7:00 p.m. It’s Faith & Family Night. The first 1,000 fans in attendancewill receive koozies, courtesy of Saenz Pharmacy. Fans can take advantage ofthe State Farm Family 4 Pack, which is four tickets, four hot dogs and foursodas for just $44. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.