CANTON, Ohio — Quinn Cook made a layup with 6.9 seconds left to lift the Canton Charge to a 115-114 win over the Maine Red Claws in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Tuesday night at Canton Memorial Civic Center.
On the ensuing Maine possession, Corey Walden’s layup attempt rolled off the rim and Nick Minnerath batted away the rebound to secure the win for Canton.
The Red Claws built a 32-25 lead at the end of the first quarter behind 11 points from Marcus Thornton. The Red Claws remained in front for most of the game, leading by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. Maine’s lead was eight going into the fourth quarter.
Canton’s first lead of the game came on a 3-pointer by Minnerath that put the Charge up 102-101 with 3:39 remaining. The teams continued to trade baskets the rest of the way, as the game featured eight lead changes and two ties over the final 3:39.
Maine pulled ahead 114-113 on a fadeway jumper by Coty Clarke with 10.9 seconds remaining.
Clarke finished with a team-high 25 points to lead seven players in double figures for the Red Claws and he also grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.
Thornton added 22 points and Walden and Jordan Mickey chipped in 16 points apiece for the Red Claws. Canton was paced by John Holland, who led all scorers with 30 points. Cook finished with 26 points and 10 assists and Minnerath scored 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Canton also got a double-double from Michael Stockton, who finished with 21 points and 10 assists.
Maine will look to avoid elimination when they return home for game two of the series on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Cross Insurance Arena.
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