Vipers Clinch Top Three Finish

HIDALGO, TEXAS –The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipersassured themselves of at least the number three seed in the playoffs with a122-103 victory over the Springfield Armor on Saturday at State Farm Arena in frontof a their third-straight sellout crowd, this time of 5,717.

If the RenoBighorns lose at Bakersfield tonight, the Vipers will clinch the number twoseed and their second-straight Western Conference Championship.

The Vipers (33-17)also set a new franchise record in attendance with a league-best 116,372, foran average of 4,849 per game. Last season the Vipers welcomed a league-best 113,077fans through the doors during the regular season, an average of 4,712 per game.

The Vipers hit15-of-23 shots (65.2%) in the first quarter, including 6-of-9 from behind thearc to take a 36-25 lead. Connor Atchleyhit all three of his attempts from behind the arc while Matt Janning hit both of his.

The Viperscontinued their hot shooting throughout the game shooting a season-best 60.5%for the game, including 48% (12-for-25) from behind the arc.

The Viperstook the largest lead of the game at 106-81 when Houston Rockets-assignee Hasheem Thabeet dunked a pass from Jerel McNeal with 8:25 remaining in thefourth quarter.

McNeal led allscorers with 26 points, hitting 11-of-16 shots while recording five rebounds,seven assists and four steals. Thabeet finished with 13 points, eight reboundsand three blocks. In total, eight Vipers reached double-figures in scoring,including Atchley (18), Mouhammad Faye(15), Jon Scheyer (15), Patrick Sullivan (12), Janning (10) andRichard Roby (10).

The Armor(13-37) were led in scoring by Philadelphia 76ers-assignee, who scored 24points with eight rebounds.

The Vipers openup the best of three NBA Development League Quarterfinals on the road. Dates,times and opponents are expected to be available on Sunday.