G League Iowa Wolves

Energy Clinch Finals Berth with 107-94 Victory Over Tulsa

Published on April 18, 2011 under NBA G League (G League)
Iowa Wolves News Release


DES MOINES, IA - Scott VanderMeer scored 19 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead the Iowa Energy to the NBA D-League Finals with a 107-94 victory over the Tulsa 66ers.

Iowa jumped out to a 30-19 lead after the 1st quarter as Curtis Stinson and VanderMeer had eight points each. Tulsa battled back in the 2nd quarter as a Robert Vaden 3-pointer put the 66ers up 37-35 with 7:01 left before the break. A pair of Jerome Dyson free throws extended the lead to 48-40, giving Tulsa their biggest lead of the game.

After struggling most of the quarter, the Energy found their groove late in the 2nd quarter and went on a 10-0 run capped by Michael Haynes free throw, to make the score 50-48 in favor of the Energy. Moment later, the Energy found themselves trailing 51-50 as time was winding down in the half. A Scott VanderMeer miss was corralled by Shyron Ely, who flung the ball through the hoop as the buzzer sounded to send the home team into the locker room with a 52-51 lead.

The two teams traded baskets early in the 3rd quarter, putting Iowa up 64-60 with 6:27 left. A layup by VanderMeer started a 10-0 run for Iowa that put the home team up by 14. Iowa stretched the lead to 85-69 at the end of the quarter as Moses Ehambe scored on a reverse layup.

The Energy extended their lead to 20 points before coasting to the easy victory.

Stinson finished with 19 points and 13 assists while Stefhon Hannah added 18 points. Ehambe finished with 17 points while Haynes contributed 15 points on the night.

Tulsa was led by Robert Vaden's 22 points. Elijah Millsap added 18 for the visitors.

The win sends Iowa to the NBA D-League Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Energy will take on the winner of the Rio Grande Valley / Reno series. Dates for the finals will be released later this week.

Tickets to the finals will also go on sale later this week. For more information, visit www.IowaNBA.com

Iowa jumped out to a 12-2 lead behind nine early points from star guard Curtis Stinson. Tulsa cut the lead to 16-13 on a jumper from wing Elijah Millsap. The Energy would extend their lead to 26-17 at the end of the 1st quarter as Stinson finished with 13 points.

Tulsa tied the score at 36-36 with 3:49 left in the half on a layup from Millsap. Just as the 66ers appeared to be gaining momentum, Iowa went on a 10-4 run to take a 46-40 lead with 33.2 seconds left in the half. Tulsa's Jerome Dyson scored four quick points to close the half and draw the home team to within two points heading into the break.

Early in the 3rd quarter, Stinson scored and was fouled by Ryan Reid. After making the free throw, Stinson was forced to come out of the game due to an injury. With their leader on the bench, the Energy went shot for shot with Tulsa and extended their lead to 79-69 lead into the 4th quarter.

The final quarter started ominously for Iowa as they turned the ball over on their first three possessions to let Tulsa draw to within three points at 79-76 with 9:37 remaining. With the tide again turning, Stinson fought through his injury and re-entered the game. On the next possession, Hannah drilled a 3-pointer to double the Energy lead. A couple of minutes later, Energy sharpshooter Moses Ehambe made a 3-pointer of his own to put Iowa up 90-81 with 5:50 left.

With their backs against the wall, Tulsa had a response of their own as a quick 6-0 run, capped by a Millsap layup, made the score 92-89 with 3:09 left. On Iowa's next possession, Stinson's jump shot was off, but center Scott VanderMeer grabbed a critical offensive rebound and was fouled. On the ensuing possession, Haynes buried a 3-pointer to put the visitors up by six.

Again, Tulsa fought back as four straight points by the 66ers made it a 95-93 game with 1:35 left. With the pressure on, Curtis Stinson stepped up for the Energy. While playing through the injury, Stinson drove to the basket and scored, and then stole an errant Tulsa pass and raced down court to score again to put the game away for Iowa.

VanderMeer had a double-double for Iowa with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Stinson added 21 points. On the night, the Energy's starters scored 94 of their 103 points.

Tulsa was led by Millsap's 23 point, 11 rebound effort while Jerome Dyson added 24 points.

The series shifts to Iowa for game 2 and game 3 (if necessary). An Energy win in either of those games would send them to the NBA D-League Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Game 2 will be Monday in Des Moines at 7pm and will feature a $1 beer promotion. Tickets for Monday's playoff game will are available visiting www.IowaNBA.com, calling 515-564-8550 or at the arena box office.

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