Red Claws Knock off 1st Place Energy 112-101
Published on March 11, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
PORTLAND, ME - The Red Claws (17-24) started with an early lead against the East-leading Iowa Energy (22-16) tonight and never lost it, taking home a hard-fought 112-101 win. Point guard Kenny Hayes picked up his second triple-double of the season to lead the Red Claws to the victory.
Ending the first quarter with an eleven point lead, Maine continued to dominate through the second and third quarters, leading by twelve and fourteen going into the third and fourth frames, respectively. Iowa battled hard, outscoring the Red Claws 32-29 in the fourth, but it was not enough. Maine beat Iowa 112-101, the Red Claws' third straight home win against a team ranked first in the East. The loss knocked the Energy into a first-place tie with the idle Springfield Armor.
Maine's Kenny Hayes, the Adidas Player of the Game, followed his impressive last home performance (52 points) with a triple-double (26 pts., 12 assists and 12 rebounds), his second of this season and the third in Red Claws' history. Morris Almond led all Maine players with 29 points and 5 rebounds while Lawrence Hill chipped in with 12 points of his own. DeShawn Sims, last year's D-League NBA Rookie of the Year, making his home debut after rejoining the team on Tuesday on the road, picked up 4 points in limited action before leaving the game due a minor groin strain.
Iowa's Mike Efevberha led the Energy's offense with 29 points and was assisted by Cartier Martin who had 21 on the night. Patrick Ewing was one rebound shy of the double-double with 18 points and 9 rebounds while Brandon Ewing led Iowa in assists with 6, closely followed by Curtis Stinson 5 assists.
The Red Claws will host the Austin Toros on Friday, March 16 during Faith and Family Night. Renowned Christian artist John Waller will perform a free concert immediately following the 7 PM contest. On Sunday, March 18, the Red Claws will hold a clothing drive to benefit Goodwill prior to the game and the famed Red Panda, a must-see acrobatic act, will perform at halftime. The Iowa Energy will return home to host the Canton Charge on Friday, March 16 before travelling to Sioux Falls on Sunday, March 18 to take on the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
HAYES AND ALMOND HONORED BEFORE GAME: Prior to tonight's game, the Maine Red Claws honored Kenny Hayes and Morris Almond, presenting them with crystal awards to recognize being named the NBA Development League Co-Performers of the Week for the week ending March 4. Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings presented Hayes and Almond with the awards prior to the game's start and also presented Kenny Hayes with the game ball from the March 4 game in which he scored 52 points, just one point shy of the D-League's scoring record and beating Maine's all-time record.
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