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Grand Rapids Drive

Thornton Leads Canton to Win over Drive

January 9, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - Marcus Thornton poured in 29 points, including the game-sealing free throws, to help the Canton Charge (9-14) end their losing streak at four games with a 102-98 win over the Grand Rapids Drive (13-13) on Saturday night. In a battle of two teams on the second game of back-to-backs, Canton's defense stepped up in the fourth quarter.

Thornton is averaging over 25 points per game in his last five games for the Charge. In addition to his big game, JaCorey Williams chipped in 18 points with five rebounds and Kevin Olekaibe provided 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

The Drive had an extremely balanced scoring attack, as all eight players that scored for them had at least 10 points, but no player had more than 14. Jamel Morris, Zeke Upshaw and Derek Willis were the three Drive players with 14. Willis also had a team-leading 12 rebounds and Speedy Smith had seven assists to go with his 10 points.

The Charge got off to a hot start, leading by as much as ten points in the first quarter, a quarter the Drive never led. But the Drive fought back to earn a one-point halftime lead, at one point leading by as many as nine points. The two teams continued to trade blows, with Canton largely maintaining a small lead throughout the third and fourth quarters. They allowed just 19 points in the fourth quarter, which combined with Thornton's scoring was enough to win the game.

The Drive took over half their field goal attempts from three-point range, helping them stay in the game despite shooting 42 percent from the field versus 48 percent by the visitors. The Drive also registered 20 assists and turned the ball over just 11 times, but that was not even enough to win the turnover battle against a Canton offense that coughed up the ball only nine times.

Both teams play next on the first day of the NBA G League Showcase in Mississauga, Ontario, which is January 10. The Drive play the Santa Cruz Warriors at noon Eastern, while the Charge take on the Iowa Wolves at 8 p.m.

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