The Canton Charge (4-6), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, fell to the Delaware Blue Coats (5-5), 120-114, Saturday afternoon at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. The Blue Coats extended their winning streak against the Charge to three games, with the series finale set for March 18th in Delaware.
The Charge scored a season-high 71 points in the first half on 58% shooting from the field. The Charge controlled the pace, outscoring the Blue Coats 18-6 on the fast break. Kobi Simmons lead all scorers at the half with 16 points in 15 minutes. Leading by as many as 19 in the second quarter, the Charge entered the break with a 71-58 advantage.
Trailing 101-84 entering the fourth quarter, the Blue Coats took control of the game in the final 12 minutes of play. The Blue Coats opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 101-91. A deep Matt Farrell three pointer with 6:10 remaining gave the Blue Coats their first lead since the 11:55 mark in the first quarter. Sir’Dominic Pointer answered with a layup to knot the game at 110 apiece and an ensuing Simmons layup gave the Charge a 112-110 lead with 4:55 remaining.
The Blue Coats responded with another 6-0 run to take the 116-112 lead. The Charge went on to make one of their last seven shots and the Blue Coats escaped with the 120-114 win.
Simmons paced the Charge with 22 points, four rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes of action. Pointer displayed his versatility, registering 12 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals in 28 minutes. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman provided 15 points off of the bench and forward JaCorey Williams notched 14 points 25 minutes of relief.
Blue Coats reserve DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell made a huge impact with a game-high 28 points off of the bench, adding four rebounds and five assists. Farrell hit timely shot after timely shot down the stretch, tallying 22 points and a game-high seven assists in 33 minutes. Norvel Pelle added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.