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Jeff Adrien scored a double-double 17 points, 11 rebounds for RGV. Houston Rockets assignments Donatas Montiejunas scored 31 points and Scott Machado tallied 20 points. Vipers draft picks Chris Johnson notched 11 points, while Mike Singletary added 10 points.

Bakersfield was led by Brian Butch with a double-double 14 points, 15 rebounds. The Jam saw seven players record double figures in scoring. Renaldo Major scored 20 points, followed by Damion Jones with 18 points.

During the first half, the Vipers held their largest lead of 14 points, 40-26 midway through the second quarter, but a balanced effort by the Jam quickly cut into the lead. A jump shot from James Nunnally put the Jam up 44-43. A shot from behind the arc by Butch gave Bakersfield a 58-49 advantage over Rio Grande Valley at the half.

The Vipers fought back throughout the third quarter and tied up the game at 82 points with 2:13 on the clock. A layup from Johnson gave the vipers an 85-84 lead over the Bakersfield , but two free throws from Jerel McNeal put Bakersfield up 86-85 at the end of the third quarter.

Bakersfield held the lead throughout most of the third quarter. With three minutes left, the Vipers fought back. Machado made back-to-back shots, with Montiejunas and Adrien also connecting. Montiejunas tied the game at 113 with 0:57.8 on the clock. Free throws from the Jam secured Bakersfield’s 115-113 win.