Iowa Wolves Cruise to Opening Night Win over Sioux Falls

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Wolves never trailed in its 123-105 season-opening win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena in front of 4,335 fans.

Center Luka Garza dominated in his first game for the Iowa (1-0) with a game-high 30 points behind 10-of-13 (76.9%) shooting and he added eight rebounds and five assists. A pair of Timberwolves’ assignment players, forward Josh Minott and guard Wendell Moore Jr., made their professional debuts. Minott recorded a double-double with 23 points and team-high 12 rebounds while Moore Jr. scored 17 points and handed out five assists. 

Orlando Robinson led Sioux Falls (0-1) with a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Four other Skyforce players finished in double figures for scoring.

Moore Jr. knocked down a jumper from the right elbow for the first points of the night. The next time down, Minott threw down a monster dunk followed by Garza’s three-pointer as the Wolves scored on their first four possessions. Later, the Wolves forced an early timeout by the Skyforce.

Iowa led by as many as 14 points in the opening quarter before Sioux Falls trimmed the deficit to just five points, 38-33, going into the second period. The Wolves came out hitting in the second quarter as they increased the lead to 19 at the half with a score of 69-50.

Garza was nearly perfect shooting in the first two quarters going 7-of-8 from the field with two threes for 20 points. 

The teams will have a quick turnaround with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena. It will be Marvel Super Hero^TM Day as the Wolves will wear custom Black Panther jerseys. The first 3,000 fans will receive a custom Marvel/G League comic book. Fans are invited to dress as their favorite Marvel superheroes with special Marvel character appearances by Captain America and Black Panther.