PORTLAND, Maine — Trey Davis set a Maine Red Claws’ record and G League season high with 57 points, but the Lakeland Magic escaped with a 129-126 win Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo.
Davis set a franchise record with 57 points on 17-28 shooting, including 10-14 from downtown (10 made 3’s is also a Red Claws record). Davis eclipsed Kenny Hayes’ record of 52 points in a game, set in 2012.
Lakeland (25-22) was led by Troy Caupain with 32 points, and Alan Anderson, who finished with a career high 30 points off the bench.
Aside from Davis, Maine (17-31) was led by Devin Williams with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Vitto Brown with 17 points off the bench, and Anthony Bennett with 16 points and 12 boards. Daniel Dixon added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in the loss.
Bennett opened the first quarter by draining a three. Williams started the game strong on offense, tipping in a bucket and scoring 7 of Maine’s first 10 points. Davis continued the hot shooting as the Claws opened a 18-9 lead. Maine extended to double-digits with a Dixon three. The Magic came back — Byron Mullens knocked down a long three, and Jay Wright’s tough shot cut it to 29-20 Maine. Lakeland went on an 18-0 run to take the lead. The Red Claws led 36-34 after 1.
In the 2nd, Vitto Brown knocked in a pair of three’s. Peak’s effort on the defensive end led to a three and the Claws took a 49-37 lead. Again, the Magic came back — Anderson’s hot shooting cut the deficit to 5. Both teams shot the ball extremely well in the first half, with Maine shooting 13-24 from beyond the arc. Maine out-scored Lakeland 34-31 in the 2nd to take a 70-65 lead at the half, with Davis scoring 23 points in the first half. Anderson led the Magic with 20 points at the break.
In the 3rd, the Magic again went on a run, out-scoring Maine 13-9 to start the quarter. John Petrucelli gave the Magic the lead at 80-79, but Brown answered with a three. Down by 6, Davis knocked in back-to-back three’s to tie the game at 95. Davis made a third, and assisted on Dixon’s to help give Maine a 103-97 lead. Davis hit 40 points at the end of 3 with a pair of free throws.
Davis opened the 4th with yet another three. Maverick Rowan’s steal and three gave Lakeland a 111-110 lead. Davis continued to score, eclipsing the franchise record at the free throw line. Davis scored 4 more points after that, but Lakeland took the lead for good late in the period, with Caupain coming up huge down the stretch. Davis’ last two shot attempts did not go, sealing the Red Claws’ fate.
Maine shot 51.9% (41-79) from the floor, 52.4 percent (22-42) from the 3-point line, and 22-28 from the free throw line. Lakeland shot 56.5 percent (48-85) from the field, 50% (12-24) from downtown, and 21-25 from the charity stripe.