G League Cleveland Charge

Charge Drop Preseason Tilt to Mad Ants

Published on November 16, 2013 under NBA G League (G League)
Cleveland Charge News Release


In an exhibition tune up before the start of the 2013-14 NBA Development League regular season, the Canton Charge were defeated by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 87-84, at the Hutzell Athletic Center at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne on Saturday night.

The first quarter saw seven lead changes and three ties in a back-and-forth beginning to the contest. Seven players from each team got in the points column in the opening period to evenly distribute the scoring, and the game was knotted up at 25-25 after the first.

Canton pulled ahead by as many as nine in the second, but seven turnovers in the quarter led to seven Fort Wayne points and several extra opportunities. The Mad Ants outrebounded the Charge 25-19 in the first half, but the visitors found themselves ahead 45-42 at the intermission.

Olek Czyz came alive for Fort Wayne after the break and was a catalyst with nine points and four assists in the third quarter. Fort Wayne created higher percentage shots by working the ball inside and outscoring Canton 14-4 in the paint, tying the score at 65-65 heading into the game's final period.

The Mad Ants opened the fourth on a 10-2 run for their largest lead of the game at 75-67 midway through the quarter. Trailing by as many as 10 late in the contest, the Charge clawed back into the game paced by Bo Spencer's 11 fourth quarter points and forcing eight turnovers for eight points. With 3.5 seconds left, Spencer fired a potential game-tying three from the top of the key, but couldn't get it to fall.

Canton's 13th overall pick in this year's NBA D-League Draft, Spencer finished with a team-high 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting with two rebounds, three assists and a steal in 23 minutes off the bench. Rashad Anderson netted 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with seven boards and a steal in 26 minutes. Tyrell Biggs added 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting and five rebounds in 16 minutes. All 13 Charge players that saw action tonight got into the scoring column.

Fort Wayne was paced by Trey McKinney Jones' 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds and three steals in 31 minutes. Czyz finished with 15 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes. The Mad Ants surrendered total 23 turnovers that led to 21 Charge points, but won the battle on the glass 49-42.

Canton will open their 2013-14 regular season campaign with a visit to the East Division rival Erie BayHawks on Friday, November 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

The Charge home opener is Saturday, November 23rd at 7:00 p.m. against the newly minted Delaware 87ers! Charge Nation Memberships for 2013-14 with all 24 home games and exclusive member benefits are on sale NOW starting at just $125 for the season (less than $6 per game!). To become a Charge Nation Member or for all general ticket information, fans can call 1-866-444-1944 or visit www.CantonCharge.com/tickets. Fans can sign-up to be a Charge Insider for breaking news and exclusive offers at www.CantonCharge.com/insider.

Fans can stay up-to-date on team news by following the team at: @CantonCharge on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CantonCharge and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CantonCharge.

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NBA G League Stories from November 16, 2013


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