News release from the Mad Ants:
Mad Ants Drop to Rio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers had control of the game all night against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants as they earned the 125-103 road victory in Fort Wayne Friday evening. Former Los Angeles Laker Andrew Goudelock had his way with the Fort Wayne defense and had 27 to lead Rio Grande Valley.
In the first quarter, Rio Grande Valley Vipers quickly gained a 7 point lead on the Ants. With Tony Mitchell putting up 9 out of the 23 points, the Mad Ants began to recover despite Viper Vernon Macklin, a one man wrecking crew, scoring 9 points of his own. Down 27-23 at the end of the first quarter, the Ants looked to battle back in the second quarter with Luke Harangody off the bench.
The Ants came out of the first quarter to start the second with a much better offense. Mitchell fought headstrong for the Ants in the second quarter putting up 12 points, but it was not enough to stop the Vipers. Macklin continued his scoring stride by dominating the inside and ended the half with 15 points in leading the Vipers to a 55-47 advantage at the half.
Struggling even further in the third quarter, the Ants allowed the Vipers to persistently take charge with a 16 point lead six minutes in. Viper’s duo of Macklin and Andrew Goudelock dominated the quarter combining their scores for a total of 17 points. The Ants struggled to catch a break with Mitchell, Howard, and Lamb each scoring 5 points ending the third trailing 70-87.
The Vipers continued to execute with precision throughout the final quarter and never let the Mad Ants into the game on their way to the 22 point victory. For Rio Grande Valley, Vernon Macklin had another strong game with 21 points, and Kyle Fogg came off the bench to score 22 points and hit five three pointers.
The Ants were led by Tony Mitchell’s 27 points, Ron Howard’s 20 points, and Milwaukee Bucks’ assignee Doron Lamb’s 18.
The Mad Ants fly to Des Moines, Iowa tomorrow to take on the Iowa Energy at 8 pm ET.
About the NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league. Featuring 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises, the NBA D-League is a proven developer of talent: 27 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season boasted NBA D-League experience, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the league’s 11th season, fans could watch all NBA D-League games on NBA FUTURECAST, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
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