Armor Lose Early Lead, Fall Short Late
Published on March 8, 2012 under NBA G League (G League)
Springfield Armor News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MA- The Springfield Armor scored a franchise-record 46 points in the first quarter tonight, but went cold the rest of the way in a 106-101 loss to the Canton Charge inside the MassMutual Center.
Playing without NBA Development League All-Stars JamesOn Curry and Jeff Foote, the Armor stormed out of the gate, burying 17-25 (.680) shots in the first, including 4-6 from behind the arc. Lance Hurdle, Jerry Smith and L.D. Williams each scored 10 points in the opening period to stake Springfield to a 46-27 advantage.
After the first quarter, the Armor struggled to score for the rest of the evening, hitting just 19-67 (.284) shots over the next three quarters as the Charge slowly whittled away at their early deficit. Springfield led 63-55 at halftime, but trailed by four, 83-79, at the end of three.
Despite their cold shooting, the Armor kept the game close in the fourth quarter. A Jerry Smith three-point play trimmed the deficit to 102-101 with 50.4 seconds to play and after a Terrance Thomas missed jumper for Canton, the Armor had the ball with 16.9 seconds to go and a chance to win. On the ensuing inbounds play, Smith was whistled for his sixth foul of the evening before the ball was inbounded and the Charge proceeded to score the final four points of the game on free throws to send the Armor to their third straight defeat. The loss also snapped the Armor seven-game home winning streak, dating back to Feb. 2.
Dennis Horner recorded his fourth double-double in his last five games, scoring 23 points and grabbing a season-high 14 rebounds to lead the Armor tonight. Hurdle added 19 points, Williams tallied 18 points and 8 rebounds, Smith chipped in 17 points and Eugene Spates came off the bench to score 11 points and pull down 6 boards.
Canton's Luke Harangody, on assignment from the Cleveland Cavaliers, posted game-highs in points (24) and rebounds (16) to fuel the Charge's comeback. Alan Anderson added 23 points (18 in the first half), Quinton Ross scored 13 and TJ Campbell and Christian Eyenga scored 12 points apiece.
The Armor return to action tomorrow night when they host the defending NBA D-League champion Iowa Energy at 7:00 PM. Tomorrow night is the Armor's annual 'Celebrate Springfield Night', presented by Gary Rome Hyundai, and will feature a halftime contest in which a lucky fan will have a chance to win a new car.
SEASON AND GROUP TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE NOW: The Springfield Armor are proud to offer affordable full season, partial season and group ticket options to our fans for the 2011-12 season. For more information on all of our ticket opportunities, and to learn how you can purchase season tickets for the 2012-13 season, contact an Armor representative by calling (413) 746-3263 or by visiting our office located at One Monarch Place - Suite 220, Springfield, MA 01144.
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