Charge Fall to Memphis in Opener

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPrM1Wk4X44

ORLANDO, FL – The Canton Charge (0-1), powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, fell in the season opener by a 114-102 tally to the Memphis Hustle (1-1) today. This was the first of Canton’s 15 games in their 2021 season, to be played entirely at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

Veteran Sir’Dominic Pointer set the pace for the Charge in the first quarter, scoring the first points of the season from behind the arc followed by a quintessential Pointer block on the next play. Antonio Blakeney continued the momentum, tallying nine points on a 60% shooting performance in the first as Canton raced out to a 30-23 lead.

The Hustle got the hot hand in the second quarter, shooting 66.7% from the floor and 57.1% from the three-point line to take the lead for good at the 7:30 mark.  Memphis outscored the Charge 41-27 in the second quarter, scoring 24 points in the paint in addition to their outside shooting prowess to pull ahead 64-57.

Canton cut the deficit to two possessions a few times early in the third period, but each attempt was countered with a Hustle basket as the hosts eventually built their lead into double-digits.  Sam Merrill scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Memphis, including a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc in the second half. Freddie Gillespie recorded his second-straight double-double to open the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes of play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wmBN219c0Q

Five Charge players finished the day in double-digits, led by Blakeney’s 19 to go along with six boards and four assists in 36 minutes. Two-Way players Devon Dotson (Bulls) and Ty-Shon Alexander (Suns) tallied 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Levi Randolph (13 points, eight rebounds) and Malachi Richardson (11) rounded out the top offensive performances. No surprise that the Charge’s defensive front was led by Pointer with two steals, four blocks and a team-high 10 boards to help Canton to a 49-45 advantage at the rim.

The Charge continue their abbreviated schedule tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., taking on the Greensboro Swarm.  Fans can stay up-to-date on the latest team news by following: @CantonCharge on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CantonCharge and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CantonCharge.  Fans can download the new Canton Charge App on their smartphone via the iTunes Store or Google Play Store.

Become a member of Charge Nation and be there for when the action returns to the Canton Memorial Civic Center! For more info, visit www.CantonCharge.com or call 866-444-1944.  The Canton Charge are part of the Cleveland Cavaliers 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 Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland.