Suffield rallies in final minute to hand Canton its second loss of the year

Canton’s Cameron Lange (30) looks for open space in Friday night’s NCCC game in Suffield. The Wildcats rallied to beat Canton, 30-27. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

SUFFIELD, Jan. 22 – For the second time this year, Canton couldn’t finish off the opposition in the fourth quarter. The Warriors faltered in the final minutes of a 48-47 loss to Sport Science Medical Academy in the season opener.

On Friday night, Canton saw Suffield hit four foul shots in the final minute to escape with a 30-27 victory in NCCC action. Austin Mankouski and Matt Clark each sank a pair of foul shots to give the Wildcats their first lead of the contest.

SMSA (10-0) continues to lead the league with a 7-0 record followed by Suffield (9-1, 7-1 NCCC) and Canton (7-2, 5-2 NCCC). SMSA rolled over Suffield earlier in the week, 70-48.

Canton was played without starting guard Rieley Hoffman for the second straight game. Hoffman hurt his wrist and is hoping to be healthy enough to play next week.

“It was a hard-nosed defensive battle,” Canton coach Craig Archambault said. “Suffield likes to slow the tempo down and we played at their pace. We built a lead in the third quarter but absolutely struggled to score in the fourth quarter. Give credit to Suffield’s physical and tough defense.”

Canton led 23-20 after three quarters but scored just three points in the fourth quarter.

“Turnovers and missed opportunities to finish the game in the final minute cost us,” Archambault said.

Luke Brown led the Warriors with nine points while Adam Eytan added six points. Suffield’s Matt Clark led the Wildcats with 11 points while Jake Arruda scored nine. Canton was able to hold Suffield’s All-NCCC player Sam Flynn to just four points.

It will be a busy week coming up for the Warriors with three games in five days. Canton begins by hosting East Granby (4-5) on Tuesday night followed by another home game against Bloomfield-based Metropolitan Learning Center (4-4) on Wednesday night. Canton finishes out the week with a road game at Bolton (0-9) on Friday night.

Suffield 30, Canton 27
At Suffield
Canton (27) Azon Click 1-0-3, Luke Brown 4-1-9, Jake Schaetzel 1-2-4, Ethan Burke 0-2-2, Cameron Lange 1-0-2, Adam Eytan 3-0-6. Totals 10-5
Suffield (30) Jake Arruda 4-1-9, Mike Carrucci 1-0-2, Sam Flynn 1-2-4, Matt Clark 4-3-11, Zach Yahne 1-0-2, Austin Mankouski 0-2-2. Totals 11-8
Canton (7-2)       5  12  7  3  — 27
Suffield (9-1)       7  6  7  10  — 30
Three-point goals: Click (C)