RGV a force in win at Dodge

HIDALGO — The Rio Grande Valley Vipers jumped out to a 13-0 lead and never trailed in defusing the Sioux Falls Skyforce 96-76 before 3,977 on Saturday night at Dodge Arena.

The Vipers (4-1) were led by Gabe Muoneke’s 33 points and a defense that suffocated Sioux Falls (0-3) through the first three quarters. C.J. Watson added 22 points as RGV remained unbeaten in three home games.

“They made one run at us in the fourth, but we talked about needing to be more physical and play better defense,” Vipers coach Bob Hoffman said. “I thought (Vipers assistant) Coach (Spencer) Wright and (Vipers assistant) Coach (Brian) Walsh did a good job preparing the guys for the game.

“Our guys took it to heart what we were trying to do.”

Defense obviously was the centerpiece of the game plan. The Vipers harassed Sioux Falls into missing its first four shots and committing two turnovers to start the game.

Meanwhile, RGV made its first five field-goal attempts on the way to building a 13-0 lead. The Skyforce, who played Friday at Austin, never recovered.

“I just felt we weren’t ready to play, and they were,” Sioux Falls coach Nate Tibbetts said. “It’s hard to come back when you’re down so many, especially when you dig yourself such a hole. They had it going right away. It’s just not a good combination.”

The Vipers led 29-16 after the first quarter, 52-33 at halftime and 73-44 after three quarters.

Sioux Falls showed some life in the fourth quarter, trimming the Vipers’ lead to 11 late in the game. But RGV held off the Skyforce thanks to a flurry of defense and fastbreak hoops.

Antywayne Robinson’s 3-point play cut RGV’s lead to 85-74 with 2:07 remaining, but then the veteran Muoneke took over.

First up was an off-balance, lefty layup by Muoneke that pushed the lead back to 87-74, followed by a fastbreak dunk which started with a Watson steal. The Vipers’ point guard passed ahead to Muoneke for the easy slam.

Muoneke then finished off the Skyforce with another fastbreak dunk to send RGV to its fourth victory in five tries.

The Vipers return to action today when they visit Tulsa (2-1) in a Southwest Division showdown.

“We wanted to concentrate on defense in this game, and at the beginning of the game we did a good job,” Vipers guard Kenny Taylor said. “We did a good job of knocking down open shots, and we were able to come out with the victory. (Today) we’re going to try hard to get the victory in (Tulsa).”

The Skyforce shot 19-of-70 (27 percent) through the first three quarters.

Nik Caner-Medley led Sioux Falls with 19 points and eight rebounds. Elton Nesbitt added 14 points for the Skyrockets.

The Vipers’ next home game is next Sunday against Tulsa.

Todd Mavreles covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451.