By The Numbers: Iowa Energy at Sioux Falls Skyforce

The Iowa Energy are set to face the Sioux Falls Skyforce in Sioux Falls, North Dakota on Thursday, February 24, 2011.

Time: 10:30 AM Central Standard Time

Where To Watch: NBA Futurecast on NBA.com

Location: Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, ND; capacity: 7,200

Last Meeting: Sioux Falls beat Iowa Energy, 129-128

Series Record This Season: Energy lead series 3-1

Series Streak: Sioux Falls W1

Records: Iowa Energy: 25-10/Sioux Falls: 6-25

Leading Scorers:Iowa Energy: Othyus Jeffers–21.4 ppg/Sioux Falls: Patrick Ewing Jr.–17.1 ppg

Leading Rebounders: Iowa Energy: Courtney Sims–9.8 rpg/Sioux Falls: Patrick Ewing Jr.–11.6 rpg

Leaders in Assists: Iowa Energy: Curtis Stinson-9.2 apg/Sioux Falls: David Bailey–5.4 apg

Leading Shot-Blockers: Iowa Energy: Courtney Sims–1.1 bpg/Sioux Falls: Raymond Sykes–1.9 bpg

Leaders in Steals: Iowa Energy: Chris Lofton-2.3 spg/Sioux Falls: Patrick Ewing Jr.–1.78 spg

Team Points Per Game: Iowa Energy: 112.7/Sioux Falls: 100.5

Team Opponents Points Per Game: Iowa Energy: 107.4/Sioux Falls: 108.6

Team Turnovers Per Game: Iowa Energy: 18.7/Sioux Falls: 19.1

Team Rebounds Per Game: Iowa Energy: 44.8/Sioux Falls: 41.9

Team Assists Per Game: Iowa Energy: 20.8/Sioux Falls: 20.7

Team Steals Per Game: Iowa Energy: 9.2/Sioux Falls: 7.5

Team Shooting Percentage: Iowa Energy: 48%/Sioux Falls: 47%

Team 3-Point Percentage: Iowa Energy: 37%/Sioux Falls: 35%

Team Free Throw Percentage: Iowa Energy: 75%/Sioux Falls: 72%

As you can see, the Iowa Energy are by far the better team coming into this game. But, as my principal told out football team on our way to a State Quarterfinal Game birth, “It’s not the best team who always wins, it’s the team who plays the best that day.”

The Sioux Falls Skyforce shocked the Iowa Energy, defeating them, 129-128, after the Energy held a 15-point lead in the third quarter.

All that being said, I still see the Energy coming out as the winner in this game.

If the Skyforce do want to stay competitive and have a chance in this game, however, they will need a big performance from Patrick Ewing Jr.

Prediction: Iowa Energy win by 20