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HIDALGO, TEXAS – For the first time in franchise history, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers reached the 30-win plateau after beating the Tulsa 66ers 106-101 tonight at State Farm Arena in front of a crowd of 3,544.
The Vipers (30-12) are now one win or one Idaho Stampede loss away from clinching their first-ever playoff spot. The Stampede play at Sioux Falls on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Vipers opened the game on a 7-2 run, but the 66ers (23-18) responded with a 9-4 run to tie the game 11-11. Larry Owens hit a three-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer to give the 66ers their first lead of the weekend with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter at 18-15.
The two teams traded baskets for most of the rest of the first half, as the 66ers held a 54-53 lead before opening the third quarter on a 9-2 run. Kenny Hasbrouck hit a three-pointer to end that run and start a 7-2 run as the Vipers pulled within 65-62. DeVon Hardin responded by book-ending an 8-0 run as the 66ers built their largest lead to that point at 73-62. Julian Sensley knocked down a three-pointer to end that run, but the 66ers built an 80-70 lead at the end of the quarter.
The Vipers opened the fourth quarter on a 19-4 run, during which Mike Harris converted a three-point play as the Vipers regained the lead at 86-84 with 6:39 remaining. Hasbrouck capped the run with a three-pointer to make it 89-84 with 6:01 left.
Harris recorded his 16th double-double with 36 points and 18 rebounds while Will Conroy recorded his eighth double-double with 15 points and 15 assists.
Owens led the 66ers with 34 points, five rebounds and nine assists while Oklahoma City Thunder-assignee Byron Mullens picked up his sixth double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds.
The Vipers return to action for the first of two against the Reno Bighorns at the Reno Events Center on Friday at 9:00 p.m.
Tags: houston rockets, oklahoma thunder, rgv vipers, tulsa 66ers
