EDINBURG, Texas (Interstat) — In a high-octane G League shootout, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers used a dominant first quarter to build a substantial lead and then held off a furious second-half rally by the Greensboro Swarm for a 131-119 victory on Saturday night at Bert Ogden Arena.

The game’s decisive stretch came immediately after the opening tip. The Vipers erupted for 45 points in the first quarter, fueled by a blistering offensive display from guard Daishen Nix. He set the tone with a trio of three-pointers in the opening minutes, part of a 16-3 run that forced an early Greensboro timeout. Rio Grande Valley’s ball movement was exceptional, and they capitalized on early Swarm turnovers to build a 45-21 lead after one period. That 24-point cushion proved to be the foundation of the victory, as Greensboro spent the remainder of the game trying to claw back.

The Swarm, showing resilience, began their comeback in the second quarter by scoring 30 points, but the Vipers answered with 33 to maintain a 78-51 halftime advantage. The third quarter, however, belonged entirely to Greensboro. They mounted a sustained offensive assault, outscoring Rio Grande Valley 41-21 in the period. The Swarm’s defense tightened, generating steals and converting them into easy baskets in transition. Keyontae Johnson was instrumental during the surge, scoring on multiple drives and dunks as Greensboro cut what was once a 27-point deficit down to just seven points, trailing 99-92 heading into the final quarter.

The most critical sequence of the game occurred early in the fourth quarter with the Swarm’s momentum at its peak. After closing to within seven, Greensboro had several opportunities to cut the lead to a single possession but could not convert. Missed layups and a costly turnover allowed the Vipers to stabilize. Rio Grande Valley then executed a series of key plays to rebuild their lead. Efe Abogidi provided a major spark with a reverse layup and a powerful dunk off an assist from Tristen Newton, pushing the lead back to 107-95 and forcing another Greensboro timeout with 9:40 remaining.

Despite the Swarm’s relentless effort, the Vipers had an answer for every run. Every time Greensboro scored, Rio Grande Valley responded, often with a three-pointer. Tyler Smith and Cameron Matthews hit crucial shots, and Abogidi was a force inside, finishing multiple alley-oops and putbacks. The Swarm got as close as six points late, but the Vipers sealed the game at the free-throw line and with a final three-pointer from Abogidi with 29 seconds left.

The win improved Rio Grande Valley’s season record to 12-10, while Greensboro, which had won eight of its last ten games entering the night, fell to 16-7. The teams split a two-game set in Edinburg, with the Vipers winning both contests by narrow margins after a 120-115 victory the previous night.

The Vipers’ balanced attack and early explosion were ultimately too much for the Swarm to overcome. Rio Grande Valley’s ability to withstand Greensboro’s massive third-quarter push and reassert control in the final period was the defining characteristic of the game, ensuring they would not squander their enormous early lead.