Clarke Leads Claws
March 3, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Portland, ME - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, used shut-down defense in the third quarter, and solid scoring in the fourth to pull away from the Iowa Energy Thursday night, 115-101.
Coty Clarke led all scorers with 27 points (10-17 FG; 5-11 3FG) and 14 rebounds. Corey Walden, making the start for the Claws, finished with 18 points, and Omari Johnson and Malcolm Miller added 17 points each. R.J. Hunter, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, scored 14 points on 6-10 shooting with 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Tim Frazier finished three points shy of a triple-double with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.
Maine (23-15) got a hot early start from Clarke, who scored the first seven points for the team. The Energy would make a run late in the period; a flagrant-1 foul on Hunter made it closer, then Traevon Jackson took the lead for Iowa with back to back buckets at the end of the quarter - Iowa had a 29-26 lead after one.
In the second, Omari Johnson hit a three-pointer to even the game at 34. Clarke would score his 10th point of the game and give Maine a 57-53 lead, but Iowa then scored the final four points of the quarter to go into halftime all square, 57-57. The Red Claws out-scored the Energy 31-28 in the second quarter.
Maine took the lead in the third quarter for good, out-scoring Iowa 25-15 in the period. Clarke and Walden traded buckets, and Walden's three-point play put Maine up five. Miller contributed back to back baskets, and when the dust settled on the third quarter, Maine had an 82-72 lead.
The Red Claws came out on fire in the fourth, opening the quarter on an 11-3 run. In the blink of an eye, the lead was to 20 points, at 95-75. Iowa had one last run in them, going on a furious 19-3 run of their own to cut the deficit to 98-94. Omari Johnson drained a crucial three to right the ship, and Clarke, Hunter and Miller followed suit, sealing the victory.
The Claws shot 44% (40-91) from the floor and 35% (14-40) from downtown. Maine missed seven free throws (21-28, 75%). Iowa (17-21) shot 46% (39-85) from the floor, but just 32% (8-25) from three point range, and missed ten free throws (15-25, 60%).
Maine hits the road for two games this weekend, Saturday at Raptors 905 and Sunday at Westchester. The Red Claws return home for three games next Thursday, Friday and Sunday, March 10, 11 and 13. Tickets are on sale by calling 207-210-6655 or visiting MaineRedClaws.com.
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