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G League Grand Rapids Drive

HOLLAND SCORES 33, HELPS CHARGE TOP DRIVE IN OT

November 21, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - Marcus Thornton drew a three-shot foul and converted all three free throws in the closing seconds of overtime to help the Canton Charge (2-3) hold off the Grand Rapids Drive (4-4) by a 107-104 overtime final.

The tables turned quickly on the Drive in the extra frame, as they held a one-point lead and Landry Nnoko blocked the potential go-ahead layup by Canton with five seconds remaining. But in the ensuing scramble the Drive received a technical foul for calling timeout when they had none remaining. John Holland sunk the technical free throw and then Thornton drew the three free throws as the Charge retained possession.

Holland scored 33 points to lead the Charge and Thornton had 20 points and eight rebounds. JaCorey Williams chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds and Akeem Springs also had 12 points off the bench. The game had 20 lead changes and 12 ties, with neither team ever being able to gain a lead by more than seven points.

Remarkably, the Drive dropped their fourth game in a row, with all four being decided by three points or less. They were in solid position to win the game mostly thanks to the heroics of leading scorer and two-way player Dwight Buycks, who finished with 33 points to tie for the game high along with seven rebounds and five assists.

Buycks hit a three-pointer with 24 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and force overtime as neither team was able to convert their next chance. Buycks also hit two huge shots in overtime, another three-pointer that put the Drive up by one with 35 seconds left, and then a circus shot of a layup to re-gain that lead after the Charge responded with a basket by Holland. But despite his heroics, the Drive dropped to .500 for the first time this season.

Landry Nnoko added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Drive, Derek Willis had 14 points and five rebounds, and Zeke Upshaw hit double figures off the bench with 11 points, also grabbing seven rebounds.

The Drive got the better of Canton with their shooting percentages both from the floor and from deep, and they also out-rebounded the Charge. But like the final stretch, the foul line was where Canton made the difference. They drew 32 free throw attempts to 18 from the Drive, and hit 72 percent while the hosts hit 67 percent.

The Charge's next and final stop on their road trip will be Fort Wayne on Monday night, while the Drive will look to snap their four-game losing streak at home against Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

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