Rio Grande Valley 116, Los Angeles 109

HILDAGO, Texas, Feb. 17 -- Desmon Farmer scored a season-high 39 points, 32 coming in the second half, as the Vipers upset the Los Angeles D-Fenders 116-109 on Sunday night at Dodge Arena. The win gives the Vipers consecutive wins for the first time since Dec. 29 and their first consecutive home wins since Dec. 9.

The D-Fenders loss is their first in the last three games after posting back-to-back road wins at Idaho and Tulsa.

The Vipers and D-Fenders traded the lead early, but Los Angeles catapulted out to as much as a 10-point lead in the first half and led 52-43 at intermission. Rio Grande Valley started a furious second-half run as they outscored Los Angeles 42-25 in the third quarter to take an 85-77 lead into the fourth. The D-Fenders fought back to regain the lead from Rio Grande Valley early in the final frame, but a late surge led by Farmer put the seven-point win away for Rio Grande Valley.

Four Rio Grande Valley starters tallied double-figure scoring, with Farmer sinking six 3-pointers and shooting 11-for-22 from the field. Trent Strickland notched a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Jesse Smith followed up his phenomenal 24-rebound performance Thursday by finishing with 20 points and eight boards Sunday. The Vipers out rebounded Los Angeles 54-46, and 25-15 on the offensive glass.

Los Angeles was led by D-League All-Star Sean Banks’ 29 points, as he led six D-Fenders in double figures.

The win closes out a five-game homestand for Rio Grande Valley. The Vipers head out of Dodge Arena for their next four games to complete their longest remaining road trip. The Vipers will face the Colorado 14ers on Tuesday for a noon-hour tip-off.