VIPERS INCH PAST LEGENDS IN FOURTH QUARTER

EDINBURGH, TX, (Dec. 12, 2023) - The Texas Legends (5-9) dropped a tight race to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (8-5) 120-124 in a Tuesday afternoon road matchup.   

Texas was in control for most of the first quarter, but the Vipers stayed within reach.  Midway through the second, after RGV pulled within one, the Legends hit an 18-5 run to take their largest lead of the night and went to the halftime break up 69-58. 

Texas once again had a 14-point net midway through the third, but the Vipers hit a hot streak and closed out the quarter with a one-point difference.  Cam Whitmore grabbed the first four points of the fourth to give the Vipers the lead and forced Texas to fight a comeback the final 11 minutes.  With 20 seconds to play, Justin Jackson knocked down a long jumper to bring the Legends within one, but Jarrett Culver hit three of his next four attempts from the line and Texas was unable to close the gap.   

Jelly Walker went 9-of-15 outside to lead all scorers with 36 while Theo Pinson neared a triple-double with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists, and 3 steals.  All five starters finished in double digits with Jackson adding 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, Taze Moore tagging on 13 points, and Tony Bradley adding 11 points, 5 rebounds.  Joe Wieskamp came off the bench for a near double-double of 11 points, 9 rebounds. 

Whitmore powered the Vipers with 33 points, 10 rebounds and Jermaine Samuels Jr. added a second double-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds.  Thrae Mitchell came close with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and a game-high 3 blocks, and Culver finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds off the bench. The Legends head to the G League Showcase in Orlando next week.  The schedule will be announced at a later date but all games will be broadcast live on the UEN app and urbanedge.network.  For more information call 214-469-0822 or visit www.TexLegends.com.