Wizards Fall to Energy in Close Battle
March 18, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Dakota Wizards News Release
Bismarck, N.D. March 17, 2009: 61 %, that's what the Wizards were shooting from the field after one half of basketball. Normally shooting 61% would give teams a chance to get a sizeable lead; however when the opposing team is shooting 60% from the field those leads are hard to produce.
The Wizards controlled nearly ¾ of the match-up with there new rival Iowa Energy at the Bismarck Civic Center tonight, but it was the final six minutes in which the Energy fought for their Central Division leading lives as they finished the game shooting nearly 62% from the field, but more importantly a 1 ½ game lead in a tight Central Division stretch run downing the Wizards 119 - 117 on a St. Patrick's Day match-up.
"I thought we played well throughout the whole game", said Wizards Head Coach Duane Ticknor. "Our guys shot well and made plays together. You really have to play great when everything your opponent puts up goes in. I am very happy with our guy's effort despite the lose."
Led by centers Courtney Sims game high 36 points the Energy chipped away at a 10 point Wizards lead in the fourth quarter mainly on creating 17 turnovers on the game, in which forward Othyus Jeffers had 4 steals of his own to go with his 29 points in the victory. Iowa now stands at 24-15 with 11 games left in the regular season.
The Wizards, now 23-17 on the season, were lead by newly acquired by forward Romel Beck who made just his second start for the Wizards. Beck scored a season high 27 points and dished eight assists going four for five from the three point arch. Wizards guard Blake Ahearn also put on a shooting display hitting 27 points of his own as well as four of his own three pointers. Other Wizards in double digits forward Richard Hendrix 12 points 13 boards, forward Will Frisby 17 points and 10 boards and guard Maurice Baker who finished with 18 points and 9 assists.
The Wizards now hit the road for three games in Bakersfield, Colorado and Tulsa before returning back to the Civic Center next week to face the Albuquerque Thunderbirds on the 25th. Iowa stays on the road as the head south as well facing LA, Bakersfield, Anaheim and Reno before returning home on March 28th.
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