Live Blog: Pre-Season Game (11/9/10) – Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. Halcones Universidad Veracruzana en Xalapa

6:53 p.m. – Crowd is filing in. Fans are getting free chick-fil-a coupons. The redone UTPA Fieldhouse looks great. It's been a while since I've been here. Two years tomorrow.

6:55 p.m. – We have starters:

Vipers:
PG Mustafa Shakur (Arizona)
SG Jerel McNeal (Marquette)
SF Terrel Harris (Oklahoma State)
PF Patrick Sullivan (S.E. Louisiana)
C Mickell Gladness (Alabama A&M)

Halcones:
PG Orlando Mendez-Valdez (Western Kentucky)
SG Leandro Garcia (Texas A&M)
SF Jesse Pellot (Virginia Commonwealth University)
PF Santiago Aguirre (Westmont)
C Adam Parada (UC-Irvine)

6:58 p.m. – Funny moment... the players just lined up for the national anthems with 4:30 left until the anthems play. The buzzer sounded (they were testing it) so they all reacted. So we'll do the anthem early. Easier that way.

7:02 p.m. – The two teams met at center court at exchanged in the international game tradition of exchanging gifts. In this case, t-shirts.

7:04 p.m. – Paul Stoll was introduced as a reserve. Got a large ovation. They remember him. He has family here too.

7:06 p.m. – Vipers reserves getting introduced... Stanley Asumnu got the largest ovation.

7:09 p.m. – Teams have taken the court. Vipers wearing white practice tops and black practice bottoms. Saving the real uniforms for the real thing. Halcones win the tip, McNeal commits a quick foul, but Halcones turns it over. Vipers ball.

7:10 p.m. – First look at Mustafa Shakur running the point. I could get used to this. Well, not the turnover, but that was later. ... Gladness with a foul. We're 46 seconds in and the Vipers have committed two fouls.

7:11 p.m. – Terrel Harris good and the foul. By the way, live stats can be found here.

7:12 p.m. – The number of three-point lines on the court is confusing the heck out of me. Women's college, men's college, NBA... It doesn't help that there are also volleyball lines down. Gladness with a one handed slam. Aren't you glad he's a Viper?

7:14 p.m. – Gladness just committed his second foul. Still, Vipers lead 8-4 in opening minutes. Jordan Eglseder replaces Gladness.

7:20 p.m. – If you're looking at the box score and wondering, Patrick Patterson is not here yet. He'll join the team for practice in the morning. Marquis Gilstrap is hurt (knee) and Mouhammad Faye arrives  tomorrow as well. So the Vipers are only playing with 15 players.

7:21 p.m. – Jesse Pellot just did a great job of creating a foul on Terrel Harris (translation: Pellot flopped after missing a shot with Harris in front of him but not facing him and a foul was called). Media timeout.

7:23 – Venom, presented by Kidiatric Therapy Services, just knocked over Fang, presented by Kidiatric Therapy Services, in a tricycle race with Bucky the Bronc. Talk about home cooking. Of course, Los Halcones almost knocked over Fang, presented by Kidiatric Therapy Services, by accident. They barely used any of the timeout. Guess they didn't have much to say down 18-11. *shrug*

7:26 – Paul Stoll is in the game!!! He missed a three and then made a GREAT bounce pass down low that led to a bucket plus a foul. He's running hard. Looks like he's in good shape. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him to play well. I want the Vipers to win, but I'd like Stoll to show something on this stage. I've always thought he could play at the next level. I really want him to get that chance, whether it's with the Vipers or another NBA Development League team. He has such a great work ethic and basketball IQ. He's also really really good.

7:30 p.m. – Media time out, 2:01 left in the first, 27-24 Vipers.

7:33 – Isaiah Swann just hit a bucket. He's been quietly doing a nice jump in camp.

7:34 p.m. – 1:05 left in the first, 30-26 Vipers. Los Halcones just called a 20-second timeout. Interesting time to do it.

7:36 p.m. – Noe Alonzo just made a sick fake out move to get Ramon Harris to jump before hitting a three. Harris responds with the same move and a corner three. 32-29 Vipers at the end of the first quarter.

7:37 p.m. – First look at the Snake Charmers, presented by RGV Careers. They look good. I'm, of course, referring to their dance technique.

7:40 p.m – Nice mid-court steal by Clevin Hannah leading to a Richard Roby bucket.

7:42 p.m – Charles, the king of music at UTPA, is playing Jai Ho. They use that in Shudogg Millionaire, so I really enjoy the song. Hannah just hit another bucket. He's only 5-11, 160, but he makes his presence felt. Speaking of making his presence felt, Jesse Pellot has been everywhere for Halcones. He just hit his second bucket. Seems like he's made more.

7:44 p.m. – It seems weird to have music playing during a basketball game at a college arena. Of course, we have music throughout at Vipers games. It's just different for some reason.

7:45 p.m. – This is a really good game. 38-37 Vipers, 9:00 left in the second. Going in, who knew what would happen. The Mexican team, who just took the lead for the first time in a while, on a Pellot long two-pointer, are the four-time defending champs and are already 17-3 this season. The Vipers are on day four of training camp. But the Vipers have an incredible coaching staff and a lot of talented players. This was a game that could really go in so many different directions. I'm enjoying this direction.

7:48 p.m. – Threes are flying. Roby with a monster dunk, but Pellot again from downtown. 43-42 Halcones, under 7 minutes before halftime.

7:50 p.m – btw, former-Viper Maurice Carter is on the court for Halcones.

7:51 p.m. – 6:17 left in 2nd, 44-43 Vipers, Vipers call timeout.

7:52 p.m. – Build a Burger competition. Less than half court. This is good. Over at SPI for Beach Bash last year we accidentally did full court. That was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

7:53 p.m. – Some little kids at the top of the bleachers are starting a Let's Go Vipers chant and stomping their feet. There's a really good crowd on hand.

7:55 p.m. – THE ANIMAL IS OUT OF THE CAGE!!!!!! Stanley Asumnu just dominated the rim to tie the game 46-46 around the 5:25 mark.

7:56 p.m. – Patrick Sullivan just got a nice feed underneath to give the Vipers the lead. This kid is legit.

7:59 p.m. – UTPA men's basketball head coach Ryan Marks is in the house.

8:00 p.m. – Shakur, McNeal and Sullivan just had the most beautiful set of passes to lead to a bucket... Vipers trail 54-53 3:20 left in the 2nd. ... Look at McNeal run the court in transition! This guy is good. Vipers lead 55-54, 2:45 left.

8:01 p.m. – Terrel Harris a nice lay-up to give the Vipers the lead back at 57-56, 2:25 left.

8:05 p.m. – The interesting thing about watching the game without a headset on is that I can hear Coach Finch interact with the officials. It's a relatively pleasant conversation.

8:08 p.m. – Wide open three Isaiah Swann, Vipers up 65-59, one minute left in 2nd.

8:10 p.m. – Vipers called a timeout so they could set-up a quick play to get a two-for-one. Shakur with a quick lay-up to make it 67-69. 32 seconds left in the 2nd.

8:12 p.m. – Los Halcones call a full timeout (They already used their :20).

8:15 p.m. – 69-59 Vipers at halftime. I should do some work on my game recap. Then maybe I'll tell you a little bit about Paul Stoll.

8:28 p.m. – So, Paul Stoll. Here's a guy who was one of the best point guard in all of DI during the 2007-08 season, when he was a senior. He was a constant triple-double threat. He consistently showed NBA range from behind the arc, an ability to crash for a rebound and, most importantly, incredible floor vision that helped him to be near the top in the nation in assists. A great defender and leader, Stoll played the majority of the season on a broken foot and with a broken nose. So you know what he did? He worked harder. He set the best example any player can possibly set for a team. The Broncs finished 18-13, the best record in Independent Basketball. They got championship rings. So did I. I was the radio broadcaster that season. It was a season I'll never forget. Stoll is an incredibly good person. He has family here today. I had a chance to see his mom. We chatted for a little while. Good to see them. Brings back good memories. I am wearing my championship ring today for the first time since November 10, 2008. This game is a more fulfilling ending to that chapter of my life. I am so happy it's taking place. And how appropriate that Stoll is involved in the game.

8:33 p.m. – Second half is underway. Vipers out there with Hannah, R. Harris, Derrick Roland (Texas A&M), David Potter and Eglseder. Vipers have been pretty liberal with the substitutions. After all, they need to evaluate 15 guys tonight. Okay, they don't need to evaluate certain guys. We know Shakur is going to be the starting point guard, but he needs minutes to get sharp. It's an interesting balance between getting guys sharp and making sure you see everyone. Luckily, the Vipers are the only team with two pre-season games. They face Iowa in Frisco, Texas on Saturday.

8:36 p.m. – Of course, the Vipers have a 77-62 lead with 8:45 remaining in the 3rd. Everyone's getting it done tonight, so the Vipers can certainly make changes at will.

8:38 p.m. – And it's a good substitution pattern too. It's not like the Vipers have a carousel going.

8:39 p.m. – Justin Griffin with an impressive dunk for Los Halcones. Vipers lead down to 81-66 at 7:06 mark.

8:40 p.m. – Mo Carter just hit back-to-back buckets to force a timeout by Coach Finch. 81-70 at 6:29 mark. Carter is playing the game of his life. He has 15 points. Wow.

8:45 p.m. – Stan just attempted a three from the left corner. Missed, but there was also contact on his right arm that might have hurt his trajectory (it was not a foul).

8:48 p.m. – Halcones on a 14-0 run. 81-78 Vipers, 4:15 left in the 3rd. ... Pellot trey. Make that 17-0. Tie game.

8:49 p.m. – Isaiah Swann makes a technical free throw off a 3-second violation to end the run at the 3:46 mark. 82-81 Vipers.

8:51 p.m. – Richard Roby three-pointer at a big time. 85-81 Vipers, 2:49 left in the 3rd. Timeout Halcones.

8:59 p.m. – The Vipers, specifically Mickell Gladness and Antoine Tisby, just had four or five chances at a lay-up underneath but kept missing until there was a foul. At least that means lots of offensive rebounds in the stat sheet!

9:00 p.m. – Mo Carter's number is falling off his jersey. It looks like masking tape (number 0). His jersey didn't have a number when he got here...

9:02 p.m – Vipers lead 95-91 after three quarters.

9:05 p.m. – Paul Stoll is back in the game. Just got fouled on a drive to the basket. Too strong on the first free throw. Misses the second too. Surprising to me. Stoll was one of the best free throw shooters in UTPA history. He was had some ridiculous streak of like 63 makes in a row. Or was it 37? I don't remember, but it was really really long.

9:10 p.m. – STOLL SCORES! Driving Lay-Up

9:11 p.m. – Noe Alonzo just missed a trey for Los Halcones and screamed an expletive while running back on defense. Figures that it's one of the few times no music was playing. Everyone could hear it. Now I finally understand why the play music in the NBA.

9:15 p.m. – Alonzo trey gives Los Halones a 102-99 lead under 8 minutes to play. After the Vipers respond, Alonzo hits another three, 105-101 Halcones, 7:18 left.

9:16 p.m. – Los Halcones are scoring at will, but the Vipers keep responding.

9:18 p.m. – 107-105 Halcones, 5:51 left. Halcones fans getting loud.

9:24 p.m. – Adam Parada just fouled out. Tied 111-111 with 2:06 left.

9:28 p.m. – Stan just took a big charge. 1:12 left. Still tied at 111.

9:29 p.m. – Derrick Roland just hit a long two with 59.5 seconds left to give the Vipers the lead ... Timeout Vipers with 13.5 seconds left. Vipers ball. 113-111 Vipers. Shot clock off.

9:32 p.m. – Hannah just hit a pair of free throws. 115-111 Vipers, 12.2 seconds left. Timeout Halcones.

9:35 p.m. – Teams just traded free throws. 117-113 Vipers, 5.6 seconds left.

9:37 p.m. – Pellot just hit a ridiculously long three. 117-116 Vipers, 1.6 seconds left. Timeout Vipers.

9:40 p.m. – Gladness hits first of two. Half a second left. Vipers lead 118-116. Timeout Vipers. I'll bet they're drawing up a miss the free throw play. Why else call timeout?

9:42 p.m. – I was right. Vipers win 118-116. Watch for the post-game video blog with me and ADB on rgvipers.com.