HERD OVERPOWERS THE CHARGE

The Wisconsin Herd, NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, beat the Cleveland Charge 98-79.

Elijah Hughes powered the Herd with 26 points off the bench followed by Stevie Thompson Jr. with 15 points. Marques Bolden (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Milwaukee Bucks assignment player Chris Livingston (13 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double each.

The Cleveland Charge’s top scorer was Isaiah Mobley with 14 points while Zhaire Smith and Aleem Ford added 12 points each.

Stevie Thompson Jr. started the game hot, hitting the first five points. The Charge answered with a jump shot to put them on the board, but Wisconsin was quick to knock down three straight threes. Cleveland countered to take their first lead of the game 15-14 at the six-minute mark, but Chris Livingston knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to put the Herd ahead. The Charge tied the game before Wenyen Gabriel and Marques Bolden combined for five points. Wisconsin held the lead until one minute remaining when a three-pointer from Pete Nance put the Charge on top. The first quarter ended in favor of the Charge 31-29.

Glenn Robinson III and Chris Livingston knocked down a basket each to push the Herd ahead early in the second quarter. The Charge converted on eight straight points, but Wisconsin was quick to answer with a 10-0 run to stay in control. The teams traded baskets keeping the game within five until Wisconsin knocked down two last-minute shots to go up 54-47 at the break. Elijah Hughes guided the Herd with 13 points in the first half.

Cleveland swished a three-pointer to begin the third quarter. The Charge continued the momentum to make it a two-point game with six minutes remaining. Wisconsin countered with 11 unanswered points to take a double-digit lead for the first time. Elijah Hughes answered the Charge’s last-minute buckets to give the Herd a 75-62 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Wisconsin opened the fourth quarter with a 7-3 run to take a near 20-point lead. The Charge connected on one basket but back-to-back shots from beyond the arc pushed the Herd to a 21-point edge. Wisconsin continued to push ahead adding two more three-pointers courtesy of Elijah Hughes and Stevie Thompson Jr.  The Charge answered with three consecutive baskets to cut into the Herd’s 20-point head start. Marquese Chriss connected on two baskets to close out the game and secure the 98-79 win for the Herd.

The Wisconsin Herd will play at the Grand Rapids Gold on Sunday, Feb.11 with tip-off set for 12:00 p.m. CST.

--Wisconsin Herd--