Flash Sputter Early as Energy Go the Distance in Road Win

Iowa 110, Utah 98

OREM, Utah, April 11 -- All five Iowa starters scored in double figures Friday night as the Energy defeated the Utah Flash, cruising  to a 110-98 victory at the McKay Events Center.

Iowa, who recently lost Chicago Bulls-assignees Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown,  lived up to its nickname and poured on the energy from the opening whistle to the final buzzer despite the absence of players with NBA experience.

“This is the first little run we have had without any NBA players,” said Energy coach Nick Nurse. “These guys get chances to play and they just take advantage of it and are excited to play because they hadn’t played all that much.”

Iowa’s Courtney Sims dominated the paint with 18 points off the bench on 8-of-9 shooting from the field.

“He’s (Sims) had a few games like that,” Nurse added. “He’s really strong and he can really score.”

Jeff Horner led all Iowa scorers with 21 points, while former Flash guard Curtis Stinson contributed 17 points. Adam Haluska added 16 points, while Doug Thomas and Daryl Watkins each added 14.

The Flash, whose sole lead in the game came at 4-2, went on a 21-10 run midway through the fourth quarter to cut the Iowa lead to four at 97-93. But the Energy responded when Horner knocked down a 3-pointer to begin a 13-5 run to end the game.

“All the credit goes to Iowa,” said Flash coach Brad Jones. “They came in really with no reason to play tonight and they came out and had energy from the get go. It seemed like we were tagging behind them all night long.”

Iowa forced 16 Flash turnovers that resulted in 22 points.

Andre Ingram came off the Utah bench to score 21 and Morris Almond chipped in 20. Brian Jackson had a double-double for the Flash with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Lamar Rice contributed 16 points and grabbed seven boards.

The Flash (23-26) wrap up their inaugural season with a matchup against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Energy (22-27) finish up their season on the road Saturday against the Idaho Stampede.