G League Cleveland Charge

Canton Spoils Smith's Record Night

Published on March 23, 2016 under NBA G League (G League)
Cleveland Charge News Release


The Canton Charge (29-17), presented by SecureData 365 and powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, defeated the Delaware 87ers (19-26), 140-129, in a historic matchup Wednesday night at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Delaware guard Russ Smith set the NBA D-League single game scoring record with 65 points on 24-of-42 shooting in a game-high 44 minutes of action, while Canton's 140 points marks a franchise-best total.

The Charge opened up the contest with an impressive start from the field, connecting on 17-of-26 shots (65%). John Holland started a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, scoring 10 first quarter points. Delaware answered Canton's hot start with an equally impressive first quarter, shooting 67% from the field on 16-of-24 shooting. Smith chipped in 19 first quarter points on 8-of-12 shooting to help build Delaware's advantage to as many as nine in the first 12 minutes. Canton would rally back, tying the contest at 40-40 entering the second quarter.

The visitors' hot start carried over to the second quarter, where they shot at a 60% clip (15-of-25 shooting). Smith continued to impress, adding 15 more second quarter points on 5-of-8 shooting to give him 34 points entering the break. Charge guard Michael Stockton played all 12 minutes in the second quarter, scoring five points and dishing five assists. Fellow reserve guard C.J. Wilcox added nine points in the second quarter to give him 12 entering the half in his return to Canton. Behind Smith's explosive first half, the 87ers took a 76-73 lead into the break. Canton's 73 first half points marked a season-high for the Wine and Gold.

Delaware controlled the third quarter, pushing their lead to as many as 14. Smith added 18 more points to give him 52 through three periods on 19-of-32 shooting. Early in the fourth quarter, a Jon Horford dunk off an assist from Stockton spurred a 25-1 run that flipped the score to 123-116 after Christian Wood's dunk at the 5:33 mark. Canton would push their lead to as many as 12 before eventually holding off Delaware the victory.

Holland led the Charge with 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing four assists in 37 minutes of action. The Charge are now 21-6 in games which Holland starts. Michael Stockton recorded his fourth double-double of the year off the bench with 16 points and 13 assists in 31 minutes. In his return from the Los Angeles Clippers, C.J. Wilcox provided 24 points off the bench. Nick Minnerath added 22 points and seven rebounds in relief for the Charge.

Delaware's Christian Wood, coming off of a 45 point performance in the Canton Civic Center on February 28th, scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Forward David Laury recorded a double-double of his own with 15 points (7-of-9 shooting) and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes of action. Smith added six rebounds and four assists to his record setting total, breaking former Delaware teammate Jordan McRae's scoring mark set earlier this year (61 points).

The Charge host the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons affiliate) at the Canton Civic Center for Fan Appreciation Night on Friday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m. We say THANK YOU to our fans with guaranteed prizes all game long, including Cavs/Gladiators/Monsters tickets and 1,000 JR Smith bobbleheads! For more information and to purchase tickets, head to www.CantonCharge.com.

2015-16 single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $8 per game! Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more, with Fan Experience Packages such as being a part of the high five tunnel or playing on the Charge court! For Charge Nation Memberships, game day promotions, and up-to-date information, head to www.CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944.

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