ENERGY TO HOST RIVAL DAKOTA WIZARDS IN PLAYOFF OPENER

NEWS RELEASE

833 5^th Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 462-2849 • Fax: (515) 564-8551

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

IOWA ENERGY TO HOST RIVAL DAKOTA WIZARDS IN PLAYOFF OPENER

Energy Franchise to Play First Ever Playoff Game Thursday in Des Moines

DES MOINES, IA, April 12, 2009 – The Iowa Energy selected the Dakota Wizards as their opponent for the first round of the 2009 NBA D-League Playoffs and will host their division rival Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

“This is an exciting time for our team and for Des Moines. To have a playoff game of this caliber right here in people’s backyard doesn’t happen all the time, so I encourage everyone to come out and cheer us on Thursday night,” said Energy Head Coach Nick Nurse.

Iowa won five of the seven matchups with the Wizards on the season, but several of those games came down to the final seconds. The two teams last played Thursday, April 9^th in Des Moines. The rivals came into the game tied for first place in the division with two games to play. The Energy won 130-120 behind 27 points from former Iowa State star Curtis Stinson to clinch a playoff birth.

The Energy enter the game on a two game win streak. After their loss to Iowa last Thursday, Dakota defeated Anaheim on Friday night to clinch a playoff birth.

The winner of the Iowa/Dakota matchup will face the winner of the Utah/Bakersfield contest in the second round. Date, time and location of a potential second round game will be determined upon completion of the first round.

Tickets for the Energy’s first round game are on sale now starting at $8. Fans will be treated to $1 beer at the game. To purchase, visit www.dahlstickets.com or call 515-462-2849.