G League Iowa Wolves

Incredible 2nd Half Rally Pushes Energy Past Toros 111-110

Published on January 27, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Iowa Wolves News Release


DES MOINES, IA - The 2011 NBA D-League Champion Iowa Energy got a combined 50 points from guards Curtis Stinson and Mike Efevberha as the Energy staged a furious 2nd half comeback to defeat the Austin Toros 111-110 Friday night.

Austin jumped out to a commanding 66-47 lead at halftime behind a huge 1st half from Leo Lyons, who scored 18 points and 9 rebounds before the break.

Iowa chipped into the lead as a 9-2 run late in the 3rd quarter, capped by a Marqus Blakely run brought Iowa to within ten points at 85-75. After the teams traded misses, Iowa scored the final four points of the quarter, including a 3-pointer from Moses Ehambe to make the game 85-79 heading into the final twelve minutes.

Toros big man Lance Thomas opened the final quarter with a putback dunk to extend the lead to 87-79. Just as it appeared that it would not be the Energy's night, Iowa went on a 17-2 run that featured six points from reigning league MVP Curtis Stinson to take a 96-89 lead with 6:20 remaining as a raucous crowd fueled the charge.

Austin would not go away easy, as the Western Conference leaders used a 13-6 run of their own to knot the score at 102-102 with 2:44 remaining. After the teams exchanged scores, Iowa gained possession with 1:01 left in the game. After a series of passes, the Energy fumbled the ball near halfcourt. With the shot clock near zero, Efevberha pulled up from 30 feet away and drilled a 3-pointer to put the Energy up 107-104. Again, Austin answered. Just ten seconds later, Stefan Welsh nailed a 3-pointer from the corner to tied the game with 30.6 seconds on the clock.

With the game in the balance, Iowa went to Stinson, and the 6'3" guard delivered. Stinson drove past his defender and scored at the rim to give Iowa the lead at 109-107. After a defensive stop, Stinson gained possession of the ball and was fouled. With the crowd on their feet, the fan favorite made both free throws to put the game away. A late 3-pointer from Austin's Justin Dentmon got Austin to within one point, but Iowa ran the clock out on the visitors, giving the Energy their 17th victory of the year.

Efevberha finished with 26 points while Stinson added 24 for Iowa. Ehambe added 15 off the bench for Iowa, as the Energy made 52.9% of their field goals including 9 of 14 from 3-point land.

Dentmon scored a game high 28 points for Austin, while Lyons (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Thomas (19 points, 13 rebounds) both added double-doubles for the Toros. The loss drops Austin to 18-5 on the year.

Iowa flies to Bismarck, North Dakota early in the morning to play the Dakota Wizards tomorrow night at 7pm.

The Energy return home next weekend with game Friday and Saturday; both at 7pm. Tickets are available at www.IowaNBA.com or at the arena box office.

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NBA G League Stories from January 27, 2012


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