Charge Top Mad Ants in Sunday Matinee
Published on January 8, 2023 under NBA G League (G League)
Indiana Mad Ants News Release
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Fort Wayne and Cleveland came together for an afternoon 90's Day on Sunday, with the Charge winning 122-119 in overtime.
Fort Wayne had won five straight at home against the Charge, dating back to February 2020.
Cleveland opened up a 7-0 run to start the game and then lead 21-11 on a Rashad Vaughan basket with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter. As the Mad Ants struggled to get a basket, Cleveland consistently was able to take advantage on the other end. With 2:21 to play in the quarter, Norvel Pelle was able to make a big play at the rim to pull the Mad Ants within eight at 26-18. After one, Nate Hinton's 12 points had Cleveland leading 34-24.
Fort Wayne found better footing in the second, getting the deficit to two on a David Stockton steal leading to a Trevelin Queen basket, 38-36. The Mad Ants took their first lead of the game with 7:19 left in the first half on a Stockton basket, 42-41. The two teams traded buckers much of the way from there; the first half ended up featuring five lead changes and four ties. At the halftime break, it was Fort Wayne leading 65-58.
The Mad Ants came out strong in the third quarter, pushing their lead to 83-71 before Didi Louzada answered back with 5:10 to play. Fort Wayne held on to a 93-83 lead after three.
Cleveland rallied to tie the game in the second half, then later took the lead on the hands of Sharife Cooper, who was quick to the rim and shooting the ball all quarter. With 5:13 left, a Jermaine Samuels Jr. shovel pass to Queen for a bucket pulled Fort Wayne within three at 106-103. The Mad Ants would get it to two with 45 seconds to go on a Gabe York three, 115-113 and then York with tie it with a fast break dunk on the next possession to force overtime.
After the teams traded baskets to make it 119 all, Sam Merrill won the final scramble of the night and knocked down a three pointer to hit the target score of 122.
Cooper finished with 43 to lead Cleveland while Merrill added 28 points and Isaiah Mobley scored 20 and had 19 rebounds.
Fort Wayne was led by Jermaine Samuels Jr.'s career high 28 points with Queen adding 22 and Justin Anderson putting up 17 points and 11 rebounds.
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