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The Rio Grande Valley Vipers defeated the Sioux Falls Skyforce 107-92 Friday night. Sioux Falls trailed by just five points (77-72) entering the final quarter but Rio Grande Valley outscored them 30-20 in the fourth to improve to 4-6 on the road.
Rio Grande Valley (9-8) jumped out to a quick 11-0 lead but Sioux Falls bounced back and led 26-25 after the first quarter. Tim Ohlbrecht had a huge first quarter for the Vipers with 14 points on 5-of-5 field goals. Rio Grande Valley led 52-48 at halftime.
Sioux Falls (10-9) trailed by 11 points (73-62) with 1:40 to go in the third quarter but Gabe Pruitt converted a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the deficit to five points (77-72) heading into the final quarter. Rio Grande Valley started the fourth quarter on a 21-4 run to blow open a close game and hand Sioux Falls its third straight loss.
Ohlbrecht finished with game–highs in points (29) and rebounds (13) to lead the Vipers. Andrew Goudelock added 23 points while Houston Rockets assignee Patrick Beverley had a solid all-around game with 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Demetris Nichols scored a team-high 21 points and Mark Tyndale added 16 in defeat.
The same two teams tangle at the Sioux Falls Arena tomorrow night at 7 p.m. CT.
