Idaho Stampede at Grand Rapids Drive 7:00 p.m. Oklahoma City Blue at Rio Grande Valley Vipers 8:00 p.m. Canton Charge at Texas Legends 8:00 p.m.
The Grand Rapids Drive (15-12) defeated the Idaho Stampede (4-26) on Wednesday night by a score of 101-97, securing their second win in a row. Grand Rapids never trailed the contest, jumping out to a six-point lead in the first quarter and then pouring in 40 second-quarter points to take a 23-point halftime lead. The Stampede were able to close the lead to under five points late in the fourth with a furious rally, but were unable to alter the final result. A pair of strong performances from the Drive's newly-minted All-Stars propelled them. Willie Reed had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Adonis Thomas had 24 points to lead all scorers. Brandon Fields also added 23 points and seven assists for the Drive, who shot a blistering 57 percent from the field in the first three quarters until things started to come apart a bit in the fourth. Idaho had a very balanced scoring attack, as 10 of their players scored. All-Star selection Jerrelle Benimon overcame a slow start to post 19 points and nine rebounds for the Stampede, and his frontcourt partner Jack Cooley had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Joel Wright chipped in 18 points off the bench. The Drive's next game is Friday, February 6 on the road against the Austin Spurs, while the Stampede head back home and will host the Los Angeles D-Fenders the same day. Press release from the Grand Rapids Drive
Jaron Johnson led the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (15-14) with a career-high 35 points to top the Oklahoma City Blue (17-13) 130-113 tonight at State Farm Arena. In addition to Jaron Johnson's 35 points, he scored 7-of-10 from three-point range. Also for the Vipers, Glen Rice, Jr. added 26 points. Nick Johnson followed with 19 points. Toure' Murry tallied a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds. Maquis Teague led the Blue with 29 points. Semaj Christon added 21 points. On assignment from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Mitch McGary scored 18 points. Talib Zanna scored the first basket of the game to put OKC up 2-0. The score tied three times before Christon made a jump shot that sent the Blue on a 7-2 run to take a 15-8 lead midway through the first quarter. Oklahoma City led throughout the first half of the game. At the end of the first quarter, the Blue led 32-17. During the second quarter, the Blue's largest lead came at the 3:24 mark, 55-38. At halftime, OKC was up 60-53. The Vipers outscored Oklahoma City 43-23 in the third quarter to take control of the game. RGV's 43 points ranks second this season for most points in a quarter. RGV scored 48 points in the second quarter on Jan. 18 versus Reno at the NBA D-League Showcase. RGV continued to dominate throughout the fourth quarter. The Vipers outscored the Blue 113- 81 in the last three quarters. The Vipers face the Texas Legends on the road Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. (CT) for the first of back-to-back games versus Texas. Sunday, RGV hosts the Legends at 5 p.m. (CT) at State Farm Arena. Follow the action live all season on FOX Sports 1700 AM or watch games live at NBADLeague.com. For more information about the RGV Vipers 2014-15 season or to purchase season tickets, contact the Vipers at 956-972-11 Press release from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
The Canton Charge (16-14), presented by SecureData 365 and powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, overcame a 21-point deficit on the road to top the Texas Legends (15-13), 99-90. Seven players scored in double figures for the Charge in the victory. Texas ran out to a 19-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game by missing only one shot during that span. The Legends pulled ahead by as many as 21 early in the second, but Canton began to chip away thanks to eight points from Brandon Paul and seven from new addition Maurice Kemp to trail just 54-48 at the half. Both teams hit only seven field goals each in the third, with Canton earning more trips to the line to pull within one at 71-70 heading into the final frame. The momentum fully swung in the visitors' favor as they hit 12-of-20 shots in the fourth (60%) while limiting Texas to just 33% from the field. Chris Crawford scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to go along with five assists to give Canton their second-straight win. Arinze Onuaku finished with his 18th double-double, second most in the league, by scoring 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 12 rebounds with three blocks in 41 minutes. James Singleton scored 10 points and grabbed nine boards in 33 minutes off the bench. Justin Johnson scored 10 points, grabbed six boards and dished seven assists in 24 minutes. Kemp and Paul each finished with 13 points as Canton outrebounded Texas 50-34. The Legends were led by 20 points each from Renaldo Balkman and Eric Griffin. Former Charge forward William Buford scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in 16 minutes of relief. The Charge begin a back-to-back at the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat affiliate) on Friday, February 6th at 8:00 p.m. Canton will return home to face the Reno Bighorns on Thursday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m.! To view the 2014-15 Canton Charge home schedule complete with promotions and special deals, head to www.CantonCharge.com/promotions. Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more and Fan Experience Packages, such as being a part of the high five tunnel or playing on the Charge court, are available! For 2014-15 Charge Nation Memberships, game day promotions and up-to-date information, head to www.CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944. Press release from the Canton Charge
