DES MOINES, Iowa (Interstat) — In a high-octane offensive showcase typical of the G League, the Iowa Wolves outlasted the visiting Maine Celtics 123-120 in a back-and-forth thriller on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena.

The game was ultimately decided by a critical sequence in the final minute. With the score tied at 120 and under a minute to play, Iowa’s Jules Bernard, who orchestrated the Wolves’ offense all night, delivered the decisive blow. He sank a 25-foot 3-pointer with 56 seconds remaining, assisted by Nojel Eastern, to put Iowa ahead for good at 123-120.

Maine had multiple opportunities to answer. After a timeout, Max Shulga hit a deep 3-pointer for the Celtics to tie the game at 123 with 40 seconds left. Iowa’s Jalen Crutcher then missed a driving layup on the ensuing possession, giving Maine the ball with 16 seconds and a chance to tie or take the lead. The Celtics designed a play for a final shot, but Kam Warrens’ 27-foot 3-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark, securing the victory for the Wolves.

The contest was an offensive clinic, with both teams combining for 243 points. Iowa’s efficiency proved superior, as they shot 51.9% from the field and a scorching 64.5% from 3-point range, making 20 of 31 attempts. Maine was prolific but less accurate, taking 95 shots to Iowa’s 81 and making 19 from beyond the arc.

Bernard was the catalyst for Iowa, posting a triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists in 43 minutes, consistently finding teammates for open looks. His playmaking was central to Iowa’s ball movement, which resulted in only five team assists, highlighting his dominance in creating offense. Donte Ingram added 27 points, while Jalen Crutcher scored 24 and Nojel Eastern contributed 21.

For Maine, Max Shulga led all scorers with 35 points and added nine assists. Jalen Bridges scored 24 points, and Hank Morgan came off the bench to add 16.

The Wolves improved to 21-13 across all competitions, while the Celtics fell to 20-15. Iowa was projected as a solid favorite by Interstat’s ELO system, with a 63.7% probability to win.

The game featured 15 lead changes and neither team led by more than eight points. Maine built an early advantage, leading 72-63 at halftime after a 40-point second quarter. Iowa steadily chipped away in the third, entering the fourth quarter down just 92-90 before the final frame evolved into a tense shootout.

Key statistical disparities included Iowa’s commanding 47-35 advantage in total rebounds and a significant edge in ball security. Maine committed 18 turnovers leading to 12 Iowa steals, while the Wolves gave the ball away only eight times. Maine’s 22 personal fouls also gave Iowa more opportunities at the line, where the Wolves shot 10 for 11 compared to Maine’s 7 for 10.