The Austin Toros scored 33 points in the fourth quarter, including a 21-6 run in the final five minutes, but the Canton Charge warded off the late charge for the 98-90 victory.
The Charge led by 23 points with 6:19 remaining, but they missed nine of their next 10 shots, a timely dry spell the Toros used to cut the lead to single-digits with 37.8 seconds left in the final frame.
Canton guard Antoine Agudio split the free throws on the ensuing possession, extending the lead to 10. Jonathan Simmons hoisted a long above the break 3-pointer, hitting every part of the rim before caroming into Jazwyn Cowan’s hands. Cowan was fouled inside, and he made both free throws. Canton inbounded the ball and dribbled the final 11.5 seconds off the clock.
Simmons and Cowan accounted for 20 of the Toros’ points in the final quarter — they converted 6-of-8 shots in the frame, including two 3-pointers.
Cowan recorded his first double-double of the season, finishing with season-highs in points (17) and rebounds (13). Simmons led the Toros in scoring with 18 points, and he was a rebound shy from tallying his second double-double of the season.
Kevin Jones (21), Arinze Onuaku (20) and Sergey Kerasev (15) finished in double-figures for the Charge. Onuaku scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter on 4-of-7 shooting.
The Toros are 3-9 in their last 12 games, and their offense is 14th in this span, only ahead of the Bakersfield Jam, Sioux Falls Skyforce and Delaware 87ers. Austin is tied with the Delaware 87ers for the fewest wins in this span. Austin is 4.5 games behind the Idaho Stampede for the final seed in the D-League playoffs with 23 games remaining.
Here’s where the Toros stand today:
Record: 11-16 (12th)
Offensive efficiency: 105.1 (7th)
Def. efficiency: 104.7 (10th)
Net rating: +0.4 (10th)