Canton Charge has the Lakeland Magic teach them some new tricks
As the season crawls to a close the Canton Charge (19-28), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers had nothing but pride on the line. Unfortunately the Lakeland Magic (23-22) had other ideas as they ended up on top in this see-saw contest Tuesday evening. The win puts Lakeland on top for the season two games to one.
The Magic shot ahead in the first quarter leading by as much as 18 as Canton had difficulty finding the rim as well as defending the paint. Lakeland hit for 17-of-21 for 81% with 7-of-8 from the three point line. This performance was the most points scored against the Charge in a single quarter this season as the visitors led at the quarter buzzer 45-27. Lakeland’s Byron Mullens alone scored 17 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in the first.
In the second quarter the situation reversed as Canton showed signs of the Charge of old as they ramped up the defense allowing just 14 points while taking a 19-8 run to tie the game 59 all at the half. The third quarter saw Lakeland adapt and outscore Canton 26-21 with Alan Anderson scoring 11 points during the third quarter on 4-of-4 shooting.
The fourth quarter began with the Magic holding an 85-80 lead but their strong defense managed to hold the Charge to 33% from the field which is something that has plagued the team this entire season.
For the Charge it was Isaac Hamilton with a team high 18 points in his second consecutive start for the team. Scoochie Smith hit 4-of-5 deep attempts to finish with 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds in 32 minutes. Reserves Gerald Beverly and Kevin Olekaibe each scored 12 points in relief.
Mullens finished with a game-high 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a dominant 32 minutes of action. Troy Caupain added 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes. Former Charge guard Alan Anderson scored 18 points off the bench in his return to Canton. As a team, the Magic shot 50% from three point range (12-of-24) and 57% from the field overall (45-of-79).
The final game of the season will be this coming Saturday, March 17, 2018 with the ever popular Fan Appreciation Night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Canton Charge will take on the Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks). The first 2,500 fans to enter the Canton Memorial Civic Center will receive a Cavs shield logo seat pillow courtesy of State Farm. The C Prize Squad will also be on hand to hand out prizes to fans during the entire game.
2018-19 Charge Nation Memberships are on sale NOW! Place your $100 per seat initial payment today and receive the rest of the 2017-18 season for FREE in addition to all the other great benefits of being a Charge Nation Member. Visit CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944 to sign up today.
The Canton Charge is part of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and are also owned by a group led by Cavaliers Chairman and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The group also owns and operates the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League, both of which play their games at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.
