Canton Charge knocked by a late game rally from the Westchester Knicks
In spite of temperatures outside hovering in the single digits it was a large and enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the Canton Memorial Civic Center as the Canton Charge hosted the Westchester Knicks (New York Knocks). Although Canton managed to control the boards throughout most of the game it took a late fourth quarter surge by Westchester that spelled defeat for the Charge. This drops the Canton Charge to 8-14 with their home record standing at 2-8. The win increased the Knicks’ standings to 17-9.
It was Canton who drew first blood and took control of the first quarter as Portland Trail Blazer assignee Caleb Swanigan hit for nine points and five rebounds but reigning NBA G League Player of the Moth Trey Burke kept the Knicks in the game with ten points of his own. The Charge held a comfortable lead of 28-19 going into the second quarter.
It was the Knicks hitting 61% from the field while holding the Charge to 33% on 6-of 18 shooting as Swanigan added two more points and two boards giving him 11 points and seven rebounds for the half. As the teams took a breather Westchester went into the locker room with a 49 to 43 lead.
The third quarter saw Canton fight back with Marcus Thorton leading the way with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting as he hit 4-of-6 from the three point arc in 12 minutes of play. The quarter ended with Westchester holding a slim three point lead of 68-65.
Thorton drew a foul during a lay-up and his three point play tied the game at 68-68 all with the clock at 11:45 in the fourth. The game went back and forth as the teams tied each other a total of five times before Thorton hit for three to give the Charge an 85-82 lead with 3:54 left on the clock. The Knicks were not to be denied as Burke forced a steal and with the ensuing basket the team went on a 9-0 run as the Knicks lead 93-87. Kevin Olekaibe cut the lead to 93-90 with a long three but a forced foul had Burke making both free throws as time ran out with the final score 95-90. The Knicks defense was key as they forced nine turnovers in the final quarter.
Thorton was the game’s high scorer with 27 points hitting 10-of-15 that included 6-of-9 from the three point line. Swanigan earned a double-double with 16 points and 9 rebounds (a game high) in 37 minutes on the court. JaCorey Williams scored 19 points with five rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes. Rounding out the top scorers for Canton was Ante Zizic (on assignment from the Cleveland Cavaliers) who scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.
Burke showed why the Knicks are the current Eastern Conference leaders by scoring 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting. The five Westchester starters all scored in double figures that included Nigel Hayes’ 18 points, Isaiah Hicks’ 16 and Kornet and Rathan-Mayes’ 12 apiece.
Canton will hit the road for a division matchup with the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons) today, January 6th at 7:00 p.m. For 2017-18 Charge Nation Memberships, offseason events, game day promotions and up-to-date information, head to CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944.