Viper's Magic Number Down to One

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA – The defending NBA Development Leaguechampion Rio Grande Valley Vipers lowered their magic number to clinch a secondconsecutive playoff berth to one with a 126-111 win over the Bakersfield Jam onSaturday at the Jam Events Center.

The Vipers (28-12)will clinch a playoff berth with a win or if both the Austin Toros (17-22) andIdaho Stampede (16-22) lose one game each.

The Vipers hit10 of their first 16 shots, including 4-of-6 by Jerel McNeal who scored nine quick points while the Vipers jumpedout to a 25-13 lead in the opening eight minutes.

McNeal led allscorers with 31 points to go with five rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Down29-22 at the end of the first, the Jam (24-15) opened the second quarter on a9-1 run to pull within 31-10 after AdamKoch converted a three-point play at the 10:41 mark. The Vipers maintainedtheir lead until late in the quarter. With 55.1 seconds remaining, Tiny Gallon hit a jump-hook to give theJam their first lead since it was 2-0 at 57-56. Richard Roby responded with a three-pointer to give the Vipers thelead back and start an 8-0 run to give the Vipers a 64-57 halftime lead.

The Jam cameback to tie the game and take the lead a few times in the third quarter, butnever led by more than three points. The Jam got within three after Gallon hita jumper with three seconds left, but the Vipers moved the ball quickly up thecourt, and Mouhammad Faye banked-ina deep three-pointer from the right wing to give the Vipers a 94-88 lead.

Faye scored 20points, as did Terrel Harris. Jon Scheyer had his best game,s coring17 points with four rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.

The Jam wereled in scoring by Trey Johnson, whoscored 26 points. Drew Naymickrecorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Los AngelesClippers-assignee Willie Warrenscored 15 points with 10 assists.

The Vipers returnhome on Monday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. at State Farm Arena when they host theSioux Falls Skyforce. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive rallytowels, courtesy of AT&T Real Yellow Pages. Fans can exchange their oldphone book for a new one from AT&T Real Yellow Pages. Fans can takeadvantage of the State Farm Family 4 Pack, which is four tickets, four hot dogsand four sodas for just $44. Additionally, fans can purchase hot dogs, popcornand soda for $1 each as well as $1.50 beer at the concession stand. Fans canreceive a free ticket by donating four non-perishable food items to theSalvation Army food drive starting when the doors open at 6:00 p.m.