EDINBURG, Texas (Interstat) — In a high-octane G League showdown that saw 15 lead changes and neither team leading by more than nine points, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers outlasted the San Diego Clippers 109-102 on Wednesday night at Bert Ogden Arena.

The victory allowed the Vipers to avenge a one-point loss to the same Clippers team just 24 hours earlier and improved their season record to 22-15. San Diego fell to 21-19.

The most critical phase of the game came late in the fourth quarter, with the outcome still hanging in the balance. Clinging to a 100-98 lead with under two minutes to play, the Vipers executed a decisive sequence to create separation. Following a San Diego turnover, Rio Grande Valley’s Tristen Newton drained a 22-foot three-pointer off an assist from Daishen Nix with 53 seconds remaining, pushing the lead to five points.

San Diego’s Sean Pedulla answered immediately with a 25-foot three-pointer to cut the deficit back to 103-101 with 37 seconds left. The Clippers then forced a crucial turnover, giving them a chance to tie or take the lead. But Jahmyl Telfort’s potential go-ahead three-point attempt missed with 19 seconds left.

The Vipers secured the defensive rebound, and Newton was fouled, sinking both free throws to extend the lead to 105-101. After a quick San Diego layup by Pedulla made it 105-103, the Vipers’ Caleb McConnell calmly made two free throws with 14 seconds left to restore a four-point cushion. San Diego never got closer than four points again as Rio Grande Valley sealed the game at the free-throw line.

The contest was characterized by explosive offensive runs from the opening tip. The Vipers set the tone with a 32-point first quarter, fueled by early inside scoring from Cameron Matthews and Efe Abogidi. San Diego weathered the early storm behind the scoring of TyTy Washington and Zach Freemantle, trailing just 63-53 at halftime.

The Clippers mounted a significant challenge in the third quarter, opening the period with a 7-0 run to close the gap and eventually taking a brief lead. The teams traded baskets and momentum throughout the second half, with neither able to build a sustainable advantage until the Vipers’ final push.

Newton led a balanced Rio Grande Valley attack that saw six players score in double figures, orchestrating the offense and hitting key shots down the stretch. For San Diego, Pedulla and Washington provided consistent scoring, while Freemantle was a force inside, but the Clippers could not find enough stops in the game’s decisive minutes.

The game was the second of a back-to-back set between the teams, with San Diego having won a 123-122 thriller on Tuesday night. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Rio Grande Valley was projected with a 72.6% probability to win Wednesday’s matchup.

The Vipers next host Noblesville on Friday. The Clippers continue their road trip with a game at Santa Cruz on Friday.