G League Westchester Knicks

Westchester Knicks Lose Momentum in Loss to Iowa Energy

Published on February 9, 2016 under NBA G League (G League)
Westchester Knicks News Release


DES MOINES - The Westchester Knicks (18-14), the official NBA Development League affiliate of the New York Knickerbockers, dropped their second game in a row to the Iowa Energy (14-16), the Memphis Grizzlies affiliate, by a score of 93-85.

Westchester forward Darion Atkins came out of the gates hot, scoring six of the team's first 12 points to give the Knicks an early four-point lead. After Iowa tied up the score with just under seven minutes left, the Knicks went on a 6-0 run over the next three minutes to push their lead back to six. With just seconds remaining in the quarter and the Knicks holding a six-point lead, forward Gani Lawal was called for basket interference, cutting Westchester's lead to 24-21 after the first twelve minutes.

The second quarter belonged to Westchester, as the road team pushed their lead to as many as 15 during the period. After the Energy tied up the game at 32, Westchester outscored the home team 24-12 over the final seven minutes of the half. Westchester shot a blistering 54 percent from the field over the first twenty-four minutes, en route to a 56-44 lead after two.

The Energy came out of the break flying, opening up the half on an 11-0 run to cut Westchester's lead to one with nine minutes left. The Knicks held strong, answering back with a 9-0 run of their own over the next two minutes to push their lead back to 10. Despite the resiliency, the third quarter belonged to the home team, as Iowa scored the final six points of the period to come all the way back and take a 70-69 lead into the final period.

After taking the lead in the final seconds of the third, the Energy opened up the final period on a 16-6 run to extend their lead to 11. Westchester chipped away at the home team's lead, getting within six with just under a minute left; however, Iowa proved to be too much as Westchester dropped their second game in a row 93-85.

Westchester had five players finish in double figures, with Jimmer Fredette pacing the team with a game-high 25 points and six rebounds. Gani Lawal just missed a double-double, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds while Travis Trice II notched 11 points and five assists, also swiping six steals.

Iowa used a collective scoring effort to beat Westchester, with seven players scoring at least six points. Memphis Grizzlies assignee James Ennis lead Iowa with a team-high 25 points, while NBA Development League All-Star Alex Stephenson recorded a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds.

After eight days off for the upcoming All-Stark break, the Westchester Knicks will return home to face-off against division foe Raptors 905 on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on MSG Network and on the NBA Development League's YouTube channel.

Tickets for the Westchester Knicks are on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets and the Westchester County Center Box Office. For information on season tickets, partial plans, and group tickets, visit WestchesterKnicks.com or call (914) 559-6889. Fans can stay up-to-date on team news by following the team at: @wcknicks on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat and on Facebook at facebook.com/wcknicks.

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NBA G League Stories from February 9, 2016


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