The Delaware Blue Coats fell to the Cleveland Charge on Thursday, Jan. 25 by a final score of 112 to 107 at Chase Fieldhouse.

This was the Blue Coats’ first game in six days, and they looked rusty coming out of the gate. Cleveland was scorching hot in the first quarter, outscoring the Coats by nine. Head coach Mike Longabardi was not pleased with his team’s effort to start the contest.

“I am so disappointed in our start of the game,” said Longabardi. “They were more ready than we were, so you have to give them credit for that.”

One of the only reasons the Coats were able to keep it close in the first half was due to two-way player Pete Nance. For much of the first two quarters, the Charge were not respecting Nance from three-point range. 

When Nance played for Cleveland earlier this year, he shot 32.3 percent from beyond the arc, so based on their own experience with him, it’s safe to assume they thought he didn’t need to be respected from three-point range. The 24-year-old proved them wrong, as he drilled six three-pointers in nine attempts throughout the first half. Since coming to Delaware, Nance has shot 45.4 percent from three, especially thriving in catch-and-shoot opportunities. 

“All credit to my teammates for finding me,” said Nance. “Luckily I was able to knock them down in this one.”

The second half was a different story for the two-way forward, as he was held scoreless. Cleveland made some changes at the half, as they began to respect Nance’s shot from a long distance.

“They made some adjustments,” said Nance. “They kept someone on me constantly. There were a ton of shots I could have made, it was just a rough second half for me.”

As previously mentioned, Nance was with the Charge for four days after being released by the Blue Coats earlier this month. As a result, he knows Cleveland better than anyone in Delaware. 

“They are gritty and have a lot of hungry guys,” said Nance. “They got a good group and good camaraderie. Obviously it stings to lose to them, but I wish them good luck the rest of the way.”

Throughout the second half, the Blue Coats were able to keep things close and nearly pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback, but the rally ultimately fell short. With Nance staying mostly quiet in the third and fourth quarters, it was Judah Mintz keeping the Coats in the game. 

Mintz scored 16 points in the second half, with most of those coming around the rim. The 21-year-old’s offense powered the Coats through a late run to get the game within two points. 

The two-man game of Darius Brown and JT Thor powered the Charge to victory, as the duo combined for eight of the game’s final 10 points of the game.

Brown and Thor have been with Cleveland for most of the season. That continuity is something that Delaware has rarely experienced, as they have had a rotating cast of players throughout the season. 

“We cannot use that as an excuse,” said Longabardi. “We have been together for a while now, even though it is only our third game together. We have been together for 12 days so there is no excuse.”

The Blue Coats’ next chance to get back in the win column will once again be against the Charge at home on Saturday, Jan. 27, as Delaware will try to reverse their fortunes.

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