Canton Charge shows their grit as they defeat the Capital City Go-Go
It was “Pirate Night” at the Canton Memorial Civic Center as the Canton Charge , powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers (18-10), stole one from the Capital City Go-Go (14-15) 120-118 in overtime as 2,718 fellow pirates looked on. Prior to the game the younger fans were given a treasure map that led them to various prizes such as hats, wrist bands, eye patches and coins. Everyone attending the game also got a pair of Canton Charge Pirate Socks.
As for the game itself, these two highly charged teams fought hard throughout the contest in spite of questionable officiating that saw bad calls as well as non-calls, one which had drawn blood but no foul.
Canton got off to a hot start taking an early lead in the first but the Go-Go fought back and managed a 54-51 takeover at the half. In the third quarter Capital City stretched the lead to 10 as Canton could simply not find the net. Gathering their wits about them, the Charge crept closer and with a Matt Mooney reverse layup that was a beauty to behold and got to within three as the third quarter ended.
It was the fourth quarter that turned into a battle royal as both teams failed to dominate by more than five. With mere seconds on the clock and battling back to within three points the Go-Go went to the foul line hitting the first shot, getting the rebound and tying the score with less than four seconds on the clock. Canton failed to score sending the game into overtime. Capital City struck first with an all net three from the arc but it was a team effort Canton that rallied back with three different players scoring to take the win.
Overall the Charge showed true team spirit as seven players posted double-digits for the second straight game. Malik Newman led with 23 points, five rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes. Levi Randolph was next with 21 points, seven boards and two steals. Two-Way players Dean Wade and Matt Mooney clocked in with 18 and 15 points respectively. Rounding out the scoring were Sir ‘Dominic Pointer for 15, J.P. Macura for 12 and Muhammad-Ali Rahkman with 11.
Down in Go-Go land it was Jalen Jones leading the Capital City group with 22 points hitting 4-for-7 in the three point area playing 34 minutes. Two-Way Johnathan Williams added 18 points with 13 rebounds in 31 minutes. Admiral Chofield who is on assignment from the Washington Wizards ended the night with 11 points and five rebounds in 27 minutes.
The Canton Charge will be home again for OH Lottery WINSday as they face the Delaware Blue Coats next Wednesday, January 29, 2020 with tip-off at 7 p.m. All ticket holders 18 and over will receive a free scratch off Ohio Lottery card.
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 Field House in downtown Cleveland.