Vipers Clinch Home Court Advantage in First Round of Playoffs

HIDALGO, TEXAS –The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers assuredthemselves of home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and oneof the best four records in the league with a 108-95 victory over the SpringfieldArmor on Friday at State Farm Arena in front of a sellout crowd of 5,900.

The Vipers (32-17)jumped out to a 17-2 lead as Houston Rockets-assignee Hasheem Thabeet and MattJanning combined for 10 points and eight rebounds while Mouhammad Faye had four points, fourrebounds and three assists in the opening 5:14. The Vipers led by as many as 23at 32-9 after Patrick Sullivan hit afree throw with 1:40 remaining in the quarter.

Thabeet scoreda season-high 18 points while hitting all eight of his shot attempts to go with10 rebounds (four offensive) and two blocks for his second double-double.Janning hit four three-pointers while scoring 16 points with eight rebounds(four offensive) and three assists. Sullivan hit 6-of-9 shots for 16 pointswhile Faye scored 13 points with 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks forhis sixth double-double. Terrel Harrisrecorded his second-career double-double with 11 points, a career-high 11rebounds and five assists.

The Armor(13-36) closed the first and opened the second quarter on a 15-4 run to pullwithin 36-24.

The Armorclimbed within five twice in the third quarter, including 76-71 after athree-pointer by JamesOn Curry, butthe Vipers closed the quarter on a 6-2 run to push their lead back up to nineand put the game out of reach.

Curry finishedwith a game-high 21 points.

The Vipers closethe regular season when they face the Armor on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at StateFarm Arena. It’s Salvation Army Night. The first 1,000 fans in attendance willreceive mini-fans, courtesy of the Salvation Army. Houston Rockets Hall of Famemascot Clutch the Bear will perform. Fans take advantage of the State FarmFamily 4 Pack, which is four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just$44. There will also be a free pre-game tailgate party in the parking lot,courtesy of Pepper’s at Uptown and Budweiser.

The Vipers arealso hosting the RGVSports.comAll-Valley Showcase beginning with the girls game at 2:00 p.m. That will befollowed by a three-point shooting contest, a dunk contest and the boys game. Ticketsto both games and the Vipers game can be purchased for $15 each. $1 from everyticket sold benefits the Salvation Army’s Beat the Heat program.