Shocking comeback heroics from Energy

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Point guard Funn puts up triple-double to lead team past early 21-point deficit

By Chris O’Leary, FreelanceMay 16, 2009 8:12 AM

Last season, the Edmonton Chill worked magic with their come-from-behind victories.

On Friday night, the Edmonton Energy took the comeback magic to Harry Potter levels, erasing a 21-point first quarter deficit en route to their 144-134 victory over the Bellingham Slam at MacEwan gym.

"I think that’s the best game I’ve been a part of since I’ve been coaching in the IBL," Energy coach Paul Sir said. "That’s a great game with two great teams."

Energy point guard Will Funn led his team back from the dead with a triple-double of 16 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. J.R. Patrick and Steve Sir carried the scoring load for the Energy with 30 and 26 points, respectively. Now 4-1, the Energy have won four straight.

Former Gonzaga University standout Tyler Amaya’s 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists led Bellingham, while forward Jacob Stevenson added 31 of his own for the Slam, who saw their four-game win streak come to an end.

The reigning International Basketball League champions, the Slam came roaring out of the gate with red-hot shooting from the field in the first quarter. The team hit eight three-pointers in the opening frame as part of their 51-point outburst. They led a shell-shocked-looking Energy 51-30 at the start of the second quarter.

As the Energy watched Bellingham shoot an unbelievable 65 per cent from the field and 80 per cent from deep, Paul Sir’s thoughts were likely in tune with the 300 fans in attendance.

"We were thinking, ’Aw crap,’ " Sir quipped. "But you know at some point, they’re human and you know it’s not going to sustain itself and it didn’t. To our guys’ credit, they just refused to lose."

Patrick took charge to start the second-quarter comeback, scoring on a suddenly hot three-point hand and on slashes to the bucket. Twice, the Energy got what seemed like an insurmountable lead down to three, but went into the half down 77-68.

"They didn’t miss one shot," Patrick said of Bellingham’s strong start.

"They were on fire. To our character, we were able to come back and make it a nine-point game (at halftime).

"We just needed to come out with more energy. We didn’t have enough energy in the first quarter or the second quarter. (In the third quarter) we were on everybody and trying to focus in, get our defence going."

The defence, the three-point shooting and the inside game that was absent for the Energy in the first quarter all got going at once for Edmonton in the second half. Fuelling the fire was Funn, who proved lethal nearly every time he touched the ball.

"Unbelievable? Did I say he’s the perfect point guard?" Coach Sir said. "There are no words that I have for Will Funn, other than that I’m glad he’s in Edmonton."