Canton Charge uses late game rally to defeat Westchester Knicks
In each game that results in a victory there is a discernible moment when the momentum shifts and you know that your team is going to have a win. Last night it was late in the third quarter with the score tied 66-66 when the Canton Charge (10-5), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers came off a time out and began to connect leading to a 31 point fourth quarter to defeat the Westchester Knicks (5-9) at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.
The rally put the Charge ahead by three going into the fourth as Malik Newman hit for six points as part of a 10-0 run that included back-to-back baskets from J.P. Macura extending the lead to double digits for the first time in the game at the 7:23 mark in the fourth quarter. Canton kept the pressure on fighting hard at both ends of the court as they built as high of a 19 point lead. Westchester tried valiantly to make a come back but could only get as close as fourteen points as the clock ticked down to the end.
Canton started out strong leading by as much as eight following a free throw from Marques Bolden. A lay-up by Sir ‘Dominic Pointer led to seven additional points as the home team held sway by six at the end of the first.
Alex Robinson managed to extend the Canton lead to double digits as he sank a and-one. For two minutes following neither team could connect until Bolden broke free giving Canton an eleven point lead. Westchester was not to be denied as they rallied with an 8-2 run that gave them a slim one point lead at the half.
The Knicks filed on five more points during the first three minutes of the third quarter when it took a Newman shot from the arch to inspire the Charge to a 13-5 run over four minutes leading up to the turning point of the game.
It was a true team effort as Canton boasted seven players with over ten points in their second game in a row. Newman led with 18 points and three assists with 35 minutes. Sheldon Mac hit for 16 points off the bench with five rebounds and three dramatic steals in 29 minutes. Bolden earned his first career double-double of his career with 11 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes on the court.
On the Knicks side of the paper it was Ignas Brazdeikis on assignment from the New York Knicks enjoying a game high 21 points in 31 minutes. Two-way player Zak Irvin boasted 12 points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes. Rookie Tyler Hall notched nine points, two rebounds and one block in 19 minutes.
The Canton Charge is off now to Las Vegas for the 2019 NBA G League Showcase where they will face the Maine Red Claws on thursday,December 19, 2019 at 3 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN U!
The next home came will take place on Saturday, December 28, 2019 against the lon Island Nets. It will be Cav’s Night with a free Whammer bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,500 fans as well as lots of surprises.
The Canton Charge is part of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and is 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 Monsters of the American Hockey League, who play their games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland.