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G League Cleveland Charge

Suns Stun Charge

January 15, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Cleveland Charge News Release


CANTON, OH - The Canton Charge (9-15), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, fell to the Northern Arizona Suns (5-24), 106-92. The shorthanded Charge dressed nine players on the heels of forward Bonzie Colson signing with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the day.

Seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this season, the Suns jumped out to an early 9-0 lead before Charge guard Kobi Simmons stopped the run with a contested layup to put the hosts on the board. Suns guard Peter Jok connected on all three of his three point attempts in the first quarter to score 11 points and help push the Suns' advantage to as many as 18 in the early going. The Suns shot an impressive 64% from the field, including 75% from three-point range (6-of-8) to hold a 34-19 lead after one period of play.

The Charge defense responded in the second quarter, holding Northern Arizona to just 35% shooting from the field. Simmons scored nine of his 13 first half points in the second quarter, connecting on all four attempts. Charge G Scoochie Smith hit back-to-back three pointers at the end of the quarter and despite shooting 29% from the field in the half, the Charge were able to chip away the Suns lead, trailing by only nine entering the break, 51-42.

The Suns offense heated back up in the third quarter as the visitors shot 59% from the field on 10-of-17 attempts. Canton attacked the rim in the third, drawing 11 fouls and connecting on 15-of-20 free throw attempts. Despite the aggressive play by Canton, the Suns pushed their lead to 17 with 30 seconds remaining in the quarter. Making his home debut, Charge guard Malik Newman connected on a three pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining to cut into the lead, with the Charge trailing 83-69 entering the fourth.

The Suns maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter, earning the wire-to-wire win. The road win marks the first time the Suns have had consecutive wins on the road dating back to February of 2018. The loss extends Canton's home losing streak to four games.

Charge forward Sir'Dominic Pointer scored a career-high 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots in a season-high 39 minutes. Pointers' four made three-point field goal attempts tied a career-high previously set on December 27th vs. Grand Rapids. Simmons netted 19 points and Smith added 16 points, five rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes.

Six Suns scored in double figures. Jok lead the Suns with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Forward Aaron Epps recorded a double-double off of the bench, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Phoenix Suns Two-Way forward George King had an all-around effort with 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a team-high 35 minutes.

The Charge face a back-to-back this weekend as the team hits the road for the Big Apple and a matchup with the Long Island Nets Friday night at 7:00 PM (TV: Facebook Live; RADIO: 99.7 FM) before returning home for a clash with the Maine Red Claws on Saturday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m. (TV: Facebook Live; 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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