Charge Sweep Week After Buzzer Beating Win
February 23, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Cleveland Charge News Release
FORT WAYNE, IN - The Canton Charge (15-23), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, erased a 24-point deficit to defeat the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (19-20), 100-99, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Friday night. Jaron Blossomgame tipped in an offensive rebound as time expired to give the Charge their third straight win.
The Mad Ants made their move in the second quarter propelled by Omari Johnson's 4-of-6 from three-point range, scoring 14 of his team's 34 points in the period. Fort Wayne hit 14-of-25 shots (56%) in the second as a unit, opening up a lead that was as many as 24 points and took a 65-43 lead into the intermission.
Canton began to chip away at the deficit in the third by turning up their defensive intensity to force seven turnovers that resulted in 10 points. The Charge created easy opportunities for themselves with 16 points in the paint in the third and hitting an efficient 12-of-21 from the field (57%) and cut Fort Wayne's lead in half to 87-75 entering the last quarter.
The Charge's momentum continued to swing into the fourth quarter as they began on a 19-2 run to go up 94-89. The visitors continued to press defensively by forcing a previously 14-of-30 Mad Ants team from three-point range to 0-for-11 in the final frame. Fort Wayne was held to 12 points in the last 12 minutes but still battled to pull ahead 99-98 when Davon Reed put back a loose ball with 11.8 seconds left. Canton's Scoochie Smith couldn't connect on a scooping drive, but Blossomgame sealed a double-double and the victory with the putback.
JB finished with 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting and 10 rebounds, five offensive, in 35 minutes of play. JaCorey Williams came off the bench to net 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting and seven boards in 35 minutes. Sir'Dominic Pointer also came in relief to add 14 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and two blocks in 35 minutes.
Fort Wayne's Johnson ended the night 8-of-15 from three-point range and 10-of-19 overall to score 28 points to go along with seven rebounds in 35 minutes. Rob Gray also scored 28 points while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing five assists in 37 minutes. The Charge snapped a seven game division losing streak and took a 2-1 season series lead into Tuesday's finale at the Civic Center.
The Charge begin a three-game homestand by hosting the Mad Ants on Tuesday, February 26th at 7:00 PM (TV: ESPN +; RADIO: 99.7 FM). For Charge Nation Memberships, group outings, game day promotions and up-to-date information, head to CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944. The Canton Charge are part of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and are also owned by a group led by Cavaliers Chairman and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The group also owns and operates the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League, who play their games at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.
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