DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 23, 2024) – The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (9-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, obtained a 124-120 victory against the Iowa Wolves (2-9) on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. 

With less than eight minutes to go in the first quarter the game was tied 16-16. However, RGV then pulled away and closed the quarter with a 31-23 lead. 

In the second quarter the Vipers led by as many as 20 points, but by the end of the quarter the Wolves had clipped that lead to just seven points. With 2:43 to go the Wolves were down 61-45 but then proceeded to go on a 10-0 run and set the score at 61-55. Going into halftime the game was set at 65-58. 

The Vipers continued with the lead in the third quarter, but it was clipped to just four points which made the game 94-90. 

Iowa turned things around in the fourth quarter as the team tied the game 112-112 with 3:36 left in the game. After that the lead fluctuated between both teams, but with 1:33 left in the game the Vipers pulled away and walked off with a 124-120 victory. 

Jalen Lecque led the Vipers with 26 points. Darius Days finished with a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Also scoring in the double digits were Jarrett Culver (22), Ray Spalding (17), John Knight III (10) and Matthew Mayer (10). 

Minnesota Timberwolves assignee Josh Minott led the Wolves with 28 points. Minnesota Timberwolves assignee Leonard Miller and Javonte Cooke had 25 and 20 points, respectively. Tyrese Martin posted a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Also scoring in the double digits was D.J. Carton with 12 points.  

The Vipers return to the Bert Ogden Arena for back-to-back games against the Rip City Remix on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. CST. On Friday the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Reliant t-shirt courtesy of Reliant Energy. The giveaways continue on Saturday with a clear bag giveaway for the first 1,000 fans, presented by Whataburger. For more information visit www.rgvipers.com. 

About the RGV Vipers and NBA G League

The four-time champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers are the NBA G League affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets. The Vipers won the NBA G League Championship in 2010, 2013, 2019 and 2022. In 2013, the Vipers were also named the NBA G League Development Champions, which recognized the team that best embodies the NBA G League’s goals of developing NBA-caliber basketball talent via call-ups and assignments. The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 31 teams, 29 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2023-24, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. 55 percent of all players on end-of-season 2022-23 NBA rosters boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.

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