HIDALGO, Texas – Lee Humphrey scored 22 points and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers used a third-quarter push for a 130-120 victory over the Maine Red Claws Wednesday night.
The Vipers (21-16) opened the second half with an 11-1 run for an 80-70 lead and held at least a 10-point lead into the fourth before Maine started a comeback.
Trailing 108-97 with 9:11 remaining, Maine (13-22) got consecutive free throws by Lawrence Hill, a fadeaway jump shot from Kenny Hayes and two more foul shots from Morris Almond to make it 108-103.
Maine got it down to four twice: 111-107 on a pair of free throws by Hill with 7:15 left and 116-112 on two more foul shots from Almond, who finished with 28 points.
Hill made it 116-114 with a jumper on Maine’s next possession, but the Red Claws were outscored 14-6 over the final 4:38.
Hill scored 22 points and Hayes added 20 for the Red Claws. Tyren Johnson and Ben Uzoh chipped in 21 apiece for the Vipers.
Three other Maine players were also in double figure, including Craig Brackins, who had 12 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Paul Harris scored 11 points and Justin Brownlee had 10.
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