SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
DES MOINES, Iowa— Reno pushed Eastern Conference leading Iowa into a one-possession game in the final seconds Tuesday night, but a 7-0 run for the Energy in the final minute was enough to push Iowa past the Bighorns, 120-116, in Wells Fargo Arena.
Reno’s Will Blalock hit a runner in the lane with 1:09 remaining in the game to give the Bighorns a one-point lead at 111-110. Iowa (30-6) would fire back, though, scoring the game’s next seven points, a run that put the game out of reach for the Bighorns (15-18).
The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Bighorns, while Iowa becomes the first D-League team to reach the 30-win mark this season. The Energy has now won nine-straight games.
Rod Benson exploded for 19 points and 17 rebounds for the Bighorns, while Blalock finished with 19 points and 14 assists. Doug Thomas added a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards, and D.J. Strawberry paced the Reno scoring attack with 21 points off the bench.
Iowa’s Jeff Trepagnier led all scorers with 22 off the bench. Curtis Stinson kicked-in 15 assists for the Energy, while Othyus Jeffers notched a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.
The Bighorns and Energy will hook-up again on Thursday from Wells Fargo Arena. Tip-time is set for 8:30 a.m. PST, and the action can be seen live on NBA Futurecast by visiting www.RenoBighorns.com.
Reno returns home on Feb. 27 for a weekend series against Tulsa. Tickets are on-sale now at www.RenoBighorns.com, the Reno Events Center Box Office, Silver Legacy Box Office, or by visiting any Northern Nevada Ticketmaster location or Web site.
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
