Wolves Open Road Trip with 99-97 Win over Westchester Knicks

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – CJ Elleby made the game-winning three-pointer and finished with 18 points off the bench for the Iowa Wolves in a thrilling 99-97 win over the Westchester Knicks on Sunday afternoon at Total Mortgage Arena.

Elleby’s three came with 12.2 seconds left in the game after a Westchester (2-6) turnover by DaQuan Jeffries. Iowa (3-6) erased a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to lead by six going into the fourth. The Wolves, who last played Sunday, Jan. 15, overcame a sluggish first quarter that saw them fall behind 29-18.

Jeffries, who finished with a game-high 26 points, helped the Knicks erase a nine-point deficit with just under six minutes remaining behind an 11-0 run that featured eight points by Jeffries and was capped by Obadiah Noel’s three. Elleby countered with a three-pointer and Wendell Moore Jr. knocked down a fadeaway to put the Wolves up three. The teams traded baskets until Elleby’s eventual game winner and Trevor Keels’ three try with 3.5 seconds left missed and Emmanuel Mudiay pulled down the rebound.

Moore Jr. and Josh Minott, who are on assignment from the Minnesota Timberwolves, each scored 20 points for Iowa. Mudiay had 11 points off the bench and Matt Lewis added 10 points off the bench. Iowa’s reserves outscored Westchester’s 42-30 in the win.

The teams have a day off before a rematch Tuesday night at 6 p.m. CT. Following Tuesday’s rematch, Iowa visits the Long Island Nets on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. CT.