Fourth-Quarter Heroics Lift Energy over Drive
January 24, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release
Des Moines, Iowa - Jan. 24- The Grand Rapids Drive (13-10) were unable to overcome two big quarters from the Iowa Energy (11-12) on Saturday, losing by a score of 111-95. The win deadlocks the teams' season series at two games apiece.
Iowa jumped out to a huge early lead, opening the game on a 16-4 lead and leading by 15 points at the end of the first quarter.
The Drive kept the contest interesting by roaring back with a 36-23 second quarter to narrow the Energy's lead to two at the half, and a deadlocked third quarter did not move the needle.
But the Energy dominated the fourth quarter, foiling the Drive's bid to regain first place in the Central Division. They opened the quarter with a 21-6 run and wrapped up the win soon after.
An impressive three-point attack was the key to Iowa's success, as they connected on 11-of-21 attempts for a blistering 52 percent. They also forced the Drive to commit 23 turnovers while coughing up just 11 themselves.
Jordan Adams, the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on assignment from the Memphis Grizzlies, scored 25 points to lead the Energy. Russ Smith had 24 points off the bench and Damien Wilkins notched the game's only double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Two players who came off the bench sparked the Drive's offensive attack, as Manny Atkins scored 21 points and Brandon Fields had 18. Willie Reed, currently rated as the second-best prospect in the D-League, struggled offensively but managed to grab an impressive 22 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end.
These two teams meet again tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m., which represents the last time the division rivals will play each other until March 25.
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