The Canton Charge were defeated at the hands of the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 105-96, on Tuesday night in their last contest before a six day break through All-Star Weekend. Canton matches last season's franchise best start at 20-12 thus far, while the Skyforce improved to 19-11.
The Charge got down early by as many as 10 after the Skyforce hit 12-of-22 from the field in the first (55%). Sioux Falls forced five Canton turnovers for 10 points in the quarter, ahead wire to wire for the 33-24 lead after the opening 12 minutes.
The visitors stepped up their defensive output in the second, limiting the Skyforce to just six field goals and pressuring the ball for six Sioux Falls miscues resulting in 12 points. Down 36-27 with 10:03 left in the half, Canton got themselves back in the game with a 12-3 run, including seven points from Steve Weingarten, to knot the game at 39-39.
The Charge hit 56% of their shots in the second in outscoring the Skyforce 28-17 to take a 52-50 lead into the half. The two teams went blow-for-blow with each other throughout much of the third, trading leads six times and pulling even four times. Canton clung to a 76-75 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Sioux Falls made their move late in the fourth with the game tied at 91-91 and 4:46 to go, the home team rolled off a 14-5 run that included 10 consecutive missed shots for the Charge. Canton was held to 7-of-25 from the field in the fourth (28%). The Skyforce got to the line 16 times in the final frame, hitting 12.
Arinze Onuaku led Canton off the bench with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting with eight rebounds in 24 minutes. Cleveland Cavaliers assignment Sergey Karasev scored 15 points and tied a season-high with seven rebounds in 28 minutes. Shane Edwards added 14 points and two steals in 30 minutes. Weingarten finished with 12 on 4-of-5 shooting in 16 minutes. Charge starters were outscored by the Skyforce's first unit, 87-42.
For the first time this season, the Charge allowed an opponent to have three players score 20+ points. Tre Kelley led Sioux Falls with 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting in 44 minutes. Justin Hamilton posted a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds with three blocks in 39 minutes. Larry Drew netted 20 points in 41 minutes. DeAndre Liggins added 19 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes for the Skyforce.
The Charge will be back at the Civic Center for their next game on Tuesday, February 18 versus the defending champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers. It's 2 for Tuesday with BOGO tickets at the box office, all starting at just $7! For game day promotions and links to live stats and YouTube game streams, head to www.CantonCharge.com.
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.
