Energy Lives Up to Name in IBL Victory

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Solid early lead results in first 2009 win

LOS ANGELES -- The Edmonton Energy held off a late charge by the Los Angeles Lightning last night and emerged with a split in their first two games of the International Basketball League season.

"In the second half, we let their shooters get started," head coach Paul Sir said Sunday after a 128-115 triumph.

"It’s easy to see why their three big players (Lamont Murray, Bryon Russell and Fred Vinson) had the success that they did in the NBA.

"But we were more focused tonight. The guys were frustrated after losing the first one and they really wanted to come to Edmonton with a win so they can get ready for our first home games next weekend."

Eastglen High School grad and former Santa Clara University star J.R. Patrick paced the Energy with 22 points. Skouson Harker added 18 in his second solid performance of the weekend.

Other Energy starters in double figures were Antwon Mills with 17 points, Steve Sir with 16, William Funn with 13 and former University of Alberta ace Andrew Parker with 12.

The Energy held a 59-53 halftime lead and boosted the edge to 22 points before Murray, a former Toronto Raptor and Cleveland Cavalier in the NBA, caught fire.

He finished with 34 points in 27 minutes. Vinson and Russell had 17 each.

"For most of the game we were much more intense than in our first game," coach Sir said. "We had to be; the Lightning are a good team.

"Probably the biggest difference was the number of good -- not great -- passes that we made. The players were much more comfortable with each other from beginning to end."

Funn had nine rebounds and nine assists to go with his 13 points -- only a play or two away from a triple double. Mills was outstanding on the boards and led the Energy with nine rebounds.

The Energy host the Vancouver Titans in their two-game home opener series May 8^th and 9^th at the downtown MacEwan campus. Game time 7:15 PM. Tickets at TicketMaster.