Vipers Fall Short in Thrilling Showdown Against Austin Spurs at Bert Ogden Arena
By Raul Garcia Jr. | Edinburg Daily Review
EDINBURG, Texas (Dec. 10, 2024) – In a high-energy matchup at Bert Ogden Arena, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (6-6), the NBA G League affiliate of the Houston Rockets, fell to the Austin Spurs (9-3) in a 124-112 defeat. More than 7,000 fans, including students from 51 Valley schools, watched as the Vipers held a lead in the first half but struggled to maintain their momentum against a resilient Spurs team.
The Vipers led by as much as 16 points during the game, demonstrating dominance in key areas such as points in the paint, where they outscored the Spurs 54-34, and second-chance points, with an 11-6 advantage. The game featured three ties and seven lead changes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The Vipers opened the game strong, with Marquis Nowell orchestrating an efficient offense. A 9-0 run in the first quarter, highlighted by Cam Whitmore’s back-to-back three-pointers and a commanding dunk, gave the Vipers a 32-25 lead going into the second quarter. Their fast-paced offense and defensive hustle extended the lead to 69-56 at halftime, thrilling the home crowd with highlight-reel plays.
However, the Spurs began to chip away in the third quarter, capitalizing on Vipers turnovers and missed opportunities. Riley Minix spearheaded the Austin comeback, narrowing the gap to 93-85 by the end of the quarter.
“I was worried about our inconsistency from one game to the next,” said Vipers Head Coach Joseph Blair. “We came into halftime with a lead, but I could see it slipping. Basketball is a game of momentum, and you can’t play around. Teams don’t give up.”
In the fourth quarter, the game turned into a seesaw battle. Nowell drained a clutch three-pointer to briefly put the Vipers ahead 98-97, but Minix and the Spurs took over down the stretch. Minix, who finished with a game-high 27 points, showcased his versatility with key shots from the paint, beyond the arc, and at the free-throw line. Malachi Flynn also delivered a strong performance for the Spurs with 26 points and 10 assists, while David Duke Jr. and Isaiah Miller added 20 points apiece.
“We allowed them to stay in the game, and they took advantage,” Blair admitted. “All credit to them. They didn’t give up.”
Despite a strong first half, the Vipers couldn’t sustain their momentum. Jeenathan Williams Jr. led the team with 21 points, while Whitmore and N’Faly Dante each contributed 14 points. Dante also secured a double-double with 10 rebounds. Also scoring for the Vipers were Jermaine Samuels Jr. 12; Marquis Nowell,12; Nate Hinton, 11; Jeremy Jones, 9; and Thon Maker and Kevin Cross, 8 respectively.
The loss evens the Vipers’ record at 6-6 as they prepare to face the Osceola Magic on the road Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6:00 p.m. CST. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.rgvipers.com.
