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Grand Rapids Drive

Bench Boosts Canton to Win over Drive

December 17, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


CANTON - The Canton Charge (6-7) got a whopping 70 points from their bench on Wednesday night at home, helping them to a 113-102 victory over the Grand Rapids Drive (7-10). The Drive outscored the Charge by nine in the fourth quarter, but the outcome was never really in question as Canton did not trail after the first five minutes and led by as many as 23 points.

Akeem Springs scored 18 points to lead Canton, one of four bench players and seven players overall to score in double figures. Other big contributors were Marcus Thornton and Ante Zizic with 16 points each, London Perrantes with 12 points and nine assists, and JaCorey Williams with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Drive, Luis Montero's 20 points were the high water mark. Landry Nnoko picked up his fourth straight double-double, scoring 17 points with 13 rebounds. Jamel Morris added 14 points off the bench and Speedy Smith chipped in 12 points and five assists. Derek Willis, the Drive's leading scorer in the last two games with 25 points in each of the games, was inactive for the contest.

Canton missed only eight of their 24 three-point attempts, easily the worst percentage the Drive have given up from deep this season. They also shot 55 percent overall from the field, causing Grand Rapids to pull down just 35 rebounds on the night. The Drive were not exactly inefficient themselves, shooting 45 percent from the field and above their season average at 37 percent from three, but they could not match up with the Charge's prolific efficiency.

The first half was especially memorable for Canton, as they made 11-of-14 three-pointers (79 percent) and dished 16 assists to just seven for the Drive. Their 35 first-half bench points was within range of the Drive's 45 total points in the first, and they stretched that 59-45 halftime lead to their high of 23 shortly after. The Drive improved their play late, but the deficit was too much to make up.

The Charge, now winners of three straight, will stay at home and square off with the Windy City Bulls on Friday for their next game. The Drive's next contest is also Friday, hosting Delaware for their first meeting with the 87ers this season.

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