The Canton Charge (18-15), presented by SecureData 365 and powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, had their four-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Reno Bighorns (14-17), 108-101, at the Memorial Civic Center on Thursday night. Canton heads into the All-Star break firmly in second place in the Atlantic Division and 3.5 games back of the Maine Red Claws.
It was a back-and-forth first period that saw four lead changes and three ties early on. Canton worked the ball inside to start the game and slow down Reno's top-ranked scoring offense (138.6ppg), netting 24 of their 32 first quarter points in the paint. The hosts led 32-30 thanks in part to 10 points in the opening frame from All-Star Arinze Onuaku.
The Charge started out hot offensively in the second, hitting eight of their first 11 shots and pulling ahead for their largest lead of the game at 54-40. Canton was then held scoreless for the final 5:24 of the half, missing their final 10 shots in a 16-0 Reno run that put the visitors up 59-54 at the break. Jordan Hamilton, Tajuan Porter and David Wear each netted 10 points in the opening half for the Bighorns.
Reno led for the entire duration of the third and by as many as 12, but the Canton reserves kept them in the game with 17 of the team's 25 second quarter points. With the Bighorns leading 74-62 and 4:04 left in the third, the Charge finished on a 17-7 run that included eight points from Justin Johnson to pull within 81-79.
Canton came out of the gate to score quickly and initiate a 10-3 run to start the fourth and pull ahead 89-84. The two teams traded blows for five lead changes and five ties in the early stages of the quarter. The Bighorns were able to seal the win by holding Canton to one field goal the final 6:36 of the game, forcing nine misses and three turnovers over that span.
Onuaku finished with his 21st double-double of the season, second-most in the D-League, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 boards in 33 minutes. Justin Johnson came off the bench to score 16 points and dish five assists in 27 minutes. Brandon Paul scored 16 points with seven boards and two steals in 25 minutes. Cleveland Cavaliers assignment Joe Harris scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and had five assists in 27 minutes. Canton dished out 25 assists as a team on 42 field goals tonight.
Sim Bhullar led the eight Reno players in double figures with 17 points, seven boards and three blocks in 32 minutes. Hamilton netted 17 points with six rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 33 minutes. Quincy Miller added 11 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 29 minutes.
Canton hits the road for a pair of games next weekend, beginning with a matchup against the Erie BayHawks (Orlando magic affiliate) on Friday, February 20th at 7:00 p.m.! To view the 2014-15 Canton Charge home schedule complete with promotions and special deals, head to www.CantonCharge.com/promotions.
Secure your seats today for our historic fifth season! A deposit of only $50 reserves the best seats to catch all the excitement of the 2015-16 season as well as membership benefits that start immediately. Receive five games on us, Monsters or Gladiators tickets, an exclusive Cavs event in Canton, and more! For Charge Nation Memberships, game day promotions and up-to-date information, head to www.CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944.
The Canton Charge, presented by SecureData 365, are part of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and also owned by a group led by Cavaliers Majority Owner and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The group also owns and operates the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League and the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, both of which play their games at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.
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.
