Red Claws fall to Rio Grande

The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers extended their franchise-record winning streak to eight in a row by recording their biggest margin of victory ever, and the second largest in league history, 134-90 over the Maine Red Claws Wednesday at State Farm Arena in front of a crowd of 4,870.

The previous NBA Development League record for margin of victory is 45 points when the Albuquerque Thunderbirds beat the Anaheim Arsenal 114-69 on November 25, 2006. No team has won by 40 or more points in over two years. The Vipers’ (15-7) previous record was 33 points in a 109-76 victory over the Reno Bighorns on February 6, 2009 at State Farm Arena.

The Vipers shot 55.3% (52-for-94) from the field, including 37.5% from behind the arc while the Red Claws (10-15), losers of four-straight, shot 37.1% (36-for-97) from the field, including 1-for-20 (5%) from behind the arc. The Vipers led by as many as 49 points in the fourth quarter.

The Vipers opened the game on a 10-1 run, capped by a three-pointer from Richard Roby. After Tiny Gallon hit a basket for the Red Claws, the Vipers went on a 10-2 run to take a 20-5 lead five minutes into the game.

The Vipers opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run to build a 40-22 lead. The Red Claws responded with a 6-0 run to climb back within 12 at 40-28 with 8:12 remaining. Mouhammad Faye scored eight points as part of a 12-2 run that gave the Vipers a 52-30 lead with 4:24 remaining.

The Vipers received contributions from all 10 players who saw action, with seven of them reaching double-figures in Roby (25), Faye (career-high tying 18), Jerel McNeal (17), Jeff Adrien (16), Houston Rockets-assignee Ish Smith (16), fourth-year Viper Stanley Asumnu (11) and Patrick Sullivan (10).

Adrien also added 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double in 13 games.

The Red Claws were led in scoring by Mario West, who scored 17 points. Champ Oguchi posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Vipers return to action on Friday at 7:00 p.m. when they face the Dakota Wizards at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, North Dakota.

--D-LEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS--