Skyforce Hands Energy First Loss
December 15, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Dec. 15 - The Sioux Falls Skyforce held off a fourth quarter rally by the Iowa Energy to come away with a 109-99 victory in front of 4,149 fans at the Sioux Falls Arena on Tuesday night. Iowa cut an 18-point third quarter deficit to three points with just over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter but Sioux Falls outscored Iowa 10-3 in the final two minutes to hand them their first loss of the season.
After leading 59-52 at halftime the Skyforce went on a 15-4 run to take their largest lead of the game at 18 points. Iowa cut the lead to 10 points following a steal and dunk by Marshall Phillips but Raymond Sykes knocked down a baseline jumper to push the lead to 85-73 heading into the final quarter.
Sioux Falls struggled with Iowa's zone defense in the early stages of the fourth quarter as they missed three shots and committed back-to-back turnovers. Iowa took advantage and cut the lead to five points (85-80) following a 3-pointer from Cartier Martin with nine and a half minutes to go in the contest. Sioux Falls responded as Leemire Goldwire converted a 3-point play and a 3-pointer to increase the lead back to 11 points 90 seconds later. Iowa would not go down without a fight as they cut the lead to three points but Sioux Falls went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final 33 seconds to defeat the last remaining undefeated team in the NBA Development League.
Joe Krabbenhoft started in place of the injured Reggie Williams (26.4 ppg) and recorded his first professional career double-double with 23 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. David Bailey posted a game-high 25 points including 4-of-7 3-pointers. Keith Brumbaugh had a solid all around game with a season-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.
Earl Barron posted his second double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Mark Tyndale came of the bench to score 21 points while Martin added 14 points in his third game since rejoining the team.
Sioux Falls hosts Reno on Friday night at 7 p.m. CT while Iowa returns home to face Erie on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.
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