HIDALGO, Texas -- Will Conroy led the Vipers with 18 points and 10 assists in a 109-101 loss Saturday night at the State Farm Arena. Tonight’s game marked the second night of Heroes Weekend for the Vipers, who honored local heroes throughout Friday and Saturday’s games.

The Toros’ Jamarr Sanders started the first quarter with a layup that was answered by the Vipers’ Greg Smith. Despite shots from Marcus Morris, Smith and a 3-pointer from Kelvin Lewis, the Toros were able to build a 17-9 lead with 5:06 left in the quarter. Conroy assisted Smith in back-to-back Alley Oops, while shots from behind the arc by Morris and Lee Humphrey helped the Vipers remain close to the Toros. At the end of the first quarter, the Toros led by five points, 28-23.

Marshall Brown helped the Vipers cut their deficit to three points, 28-25 to start the second quarter. A few minutes later, a layup from Conroy gave the Vipers their first lead of the game, 33-32 with 7:27 remaining the first half. However, two buckets from Carldell Johnson, followed by a 3-pointer from Luke Bonner and a layup by Leo Lyons put the Toros up by six points, 41-35. The Vipers’ Smith connected with a layup and a free throw, and Morris tallied two points at the line, but the Toros held the 48-41 lead heading into the half.

A jumper and a free throw from Smith helped the Vipers get within four points, 48-44 of the Toros at the beginning of the third quarter. However, the Toros soon took a 10 point, 54-44 lead following a 3-point shot by Sanders. With 5:09 remaining in the quarter, a hook shot from Stanley Asumnu put the Vipers back within four points, 66-62. The Toros’ Terrance Woodbury responded with a pair of shots from behind the arc to put Austin back up by 10 points, 76-62. Humphrey sunk another shot from downtown and Asumnu contributed two more hook shots, but the Toros remained in control 82-71 at the end of the quarter.

A jump shot from Justin Dentmon gave the Toros’ their largest lead of the night 86-71 at the 11:16 mark in the fourth quarter. Damian Saunders soon sunk a 26’ 3-point shot that gave the Vipers the momentum to go on a scoring run that would take the 94-93 lead with 4:52 left in the game. However, the Toros refused to back down, taking the 106-96 lead with 0:15.2 left on the clock. Lewis scored one last 3-point shot for the Vipers, but the Toros claimed the game 109-101.

The Vipers saw five players record double digits. Conroy led the team with 18 points, 10 assists, followed by Morris and Smith with 17 points each. Lewis tallied 13 points and Willie Warren chipped in 11 points.

Six Toros put up double figures and were led by Dentmon with 22 points. Double-doubles were recorded by Eric Dawson with 19 points, 13 rebounds and Lyons with 18 points, 18 rebounds. Woodbury scored 17 points, followed by Sanders with 14 points. Johnson finished with 11 points.

The Vipers will hit the hardwood again next week when they host the Canton Charge Feb. 16 and 18 at 7 p.m. at the State Farm Arena.

• Toros: --
• Vipers: --

• Toros: --
• Vipers: Nurse, Nurse

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, TX
• Officials: #20 Sir Allen Conner, #18 Lamar Butler-Parker, #46 Jonathan Sterling
• Attendance: 5226
• Duration: 2:8