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The Canton Charge has the Springfield Armor's number. After winning the D-League's Eastern Conference crown last year, the Armor's dream of a title ended in Canton, when the Charge upset them. Then, the Charge ruined Opening Night in a rematch. And on Saturday night, the Armor fell to the Charge, again, losing 118-88 at MassMutual Center. The loss dropped the Armor to 3-2.
The Armor had one starter (Nets training camp invite Carleton Scott) go down in the second quarter with an ankle injury, and were without two key bench players, Willie Reed (foot) and Shawn Vanzant (sick). It was an 11-point game in the fourth (not a problem in the fast-paced D-League) before the wheels came off.
Still, Ben Uzoh established a new NBA D-League career-high with 30 points to lead all scorers, shooting 10-of-18 from the field and 10-of-14 from the foul line. He added five assists and a game-high five steals. On Sunday, he was invited to a tryout with the Wizards. James Mays, the 6'9" Nets training camp invite, notched a season-high 25 points but had only four boards. He's averaging 10.
The Charge buried 43-of-84 shots for 51.2% from the field, while holding the Armor to 28-of-72 for 38.9%. Canton also out-rebounded Springfield 54-29. "You can't play from behind all the time. We talked about it and thought we had a handle on it,'' said Armor coach Bob MacKinnon.
No word yet on when Toko Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor will make the 150-mile drive from Brooklyn to Springfield.
- Springfield Armor fall despite Ben Uzoh's career night - Ron Chimelis - Springfield Republican