Springfield, MA--- The Springfield Armor started 2010 falling 110-99 at home to the Iowa Energy at the MassMutual Center. Morris Almond scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Springfield, but the Armor were unable to stop the Energy from getting several key offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter. Both teams shot well in this high scoring affair, the Armor at 50% for the game and Iowa at 48%, but the Energy’s 13 offensive rebounds were the difference. This was the third meeting between the two teams this season with Iowa taking all three on the Armor’s home court.

Looking to avenge their first two losses against Iowa to start the season, the Armor were able to stay close in a high scoring first half. TJ Cummings and Morris Almond combined for 24 points in the first half as Springfield withstood Rashad Anderson’s three three-pointers and Taylor Griffin’s 14 points. But a late 9-0 Energy run put the Energy up 61-49 going into halftime.

Morris Almond drew the Armor within seven with one minute left in the third quarter with his corner three off a pass from JamesOn Curry, who had a career high 16 assists. Another Almond three-pointer cut the lead to two with six minutes left in the game, but Curtis Stinson converted a three-point play on the ensuing possession to put the Energy back up five, 96-91.

With just under three minutes to play, Iowa’s Mark Tyndale tied up Armor center Major Wingate. After a scramble for the loose ball, Tyndale came up with the ball and drove for a layup to put Iowa up 103-95. Tyndale finished with a team high 30 points. Iowa’s lead would prove to be too much to overcome, and the Armor dropped their record to 1-11. Iowa improved their record to a league leading 12-2.

TJ Cummings had another double-double for the Armor, scoring 18 points to go with 10 rebounds. The Armor take the floor again tomorrow as they face the Erie Bayhawks for Celebrate Springfield Day at the MassMutual Center at noon.