Capital City Go-Go vs. Cleveland Charge
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Interstat) — In a frantic finish that saw multiple lead changes and clutch free throws in the final seconds, the Capital City Go-Go edged the Cleveland Charge 126-123 in an NBA G League matchup Wednesday night at Wolstein Center.
The game was decided at the foul line in the closing moments. With the Go-Go leading 124-123, Capital City’s Alondes Williams was fouled with 3 seconds remaining and made both free throws to extend the lead to three. Cleveland’s final attempt, a desperation 32-foot 3-pointer by Riley Minix as time expired, missed the mark.
The victory improved Capital City’s record to 26-25 across all competitions, while Cleveland fell to 30-20.
The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final 13 seconds. After Capital City’s Julian Reese scored on a layup off an assist from Chris Livingston to put the Go-Go up 124-121 with 17 seconds left, Cleveland called timeout. On the ensuing possession, the Charge’s Malaki Branham was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Williams with 13 seconds remaining. Branham calmly sank all three free throws to tie the game at 124.
Capital City called a timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound play, Williams drove and was fouled by Minix with 3 seconds on the clock, setting up his game-winning free throws.
Williams led all scorers with a dominant 39-point performance, adding nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 44 minutes. His backcourt mate, point guard Kadary Richmond, provided crucial support with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
For Cleveland, point guard Darius Brown orchestrated the offense with 25 points and 10 assists. Center Olivier Sarr added 22 points, while Tristan Enaruna and Malaki Branham each scored 18. Branham also contributed seven rebounds and six assists.
The game was a tightly contested affair throughout, featuring 11 ties and 15 lead changes. Both teams shot nearly identically from the field, with Capital City hitting 42 of 89 attempts and Cleveland making 41 of 88. The Charge held a slight edge from 3-point range, making 13 to Capital City’s nine, but the Go-Go won the rebounding battle 49-43 and converted 18 of 25 free throws to Cleveland’s 17 of 23.
Capital City’s Chris Livingston, a native of nearby Akron, Ohio, had a strong homecoming with 27 points and nine rebounds. Skal Labissiere added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Go-Go.
The game was the third meeting between the teams this season, with the series now split. Cleveland won the most recent matchup 127-111 on March 10, while Capital City took the first game 124-113 on March 8.
Capital City continues its road trip Friday at Greensboro.