The Iowa Energy defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 145-143 in an exciting overtime matchup at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday afternoon in game two of the first round best-of-three series. The first quarter started hot out of the gate. The Energy jumped out to the 15-5 lead early in the first. The Vipers came back, behind the strong play of Darius Morris who had 15 points and 8 assists in the quarter to give the Vipers the 40-32 lead after one. The Vipers pushed their lead to as much as 11 in the second quarter, and took a 69-62 lead into the half. Iowa and Rio Grande Valley both scored 42 points in the third quarter. The Vipers continued their efficient shooting from behind the arc, and Morris had 16 points in the quarter. The Vipers took a 111-104 lead heading into the final quarter. The Energy came back in the final quarter, behind Austin Freeman's 11 points. The Energy tied the game at 141 with 27 seconds to go. The Energy defense forced a shot clock violation to give Iowa the ball back with 2 seconds to go. Patrick Christopher's jumper rimmed out at the buzzer, and the game went to overtime. The Energy outscored the Vipers 4-1 in the overtime period to come away with the 145-142 victory to force a game 3 on Monday night at Wells Fargo Arena. The Vipers were led by Morris's 51 points and 18 assists. Houston Rockets assignee Troy Daniels had 30 points. Dario Hunt had 21 points and 14 rebounds. Rockets assignee Robert Covington finished with 14 points, shooting just 3 of 12 from the field. Patrick Christopher continued his hot shooting, finishing with 34 points. Larry Owens had 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Curtis Stinson added 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. Austin Freeman added 22 points off the bench for Iowa. Game 3 will be Monday at 7 PM at Wells Fargo Arena. Purchase tickets to the games by calling 564-8550, visiting DahlsTickets.com, or stop by the Wells Fargo Arena box office. Press release from the Iowa Energy
