Hornets Venom Erases 15-PT Deficit in Game 2 to Sweep Magic Gaming

Charlotte Uses 11-0 Run to End Game 1, Defense Steps Up in Impressive Fashion

Hornets Venom GT moved its record to 7-3 on Monday, June 29, utilizing a late run in Game 1 and a massive comeback effort in Game 2 to claim a 2-0 series sweep on the road against Magic Gaming.

The visitors raced out to a 12-point halftime advantage in Game 1 and then led by as many as 15 in the third before Magic Gaming rallied to cut the deficit to seven heading to the fourth. Ahead by five with about two minutes remaining, Hornets Venom converted an Orlando turnover into a fast-break dunk, kicking off a game-ending 11-0 run and sealing a 70-54 victory.

We closed out last night's Game 1 win over @MagicGaming with an 11-0 run!! 💨💨💨#ThisIsNotAGame #VENOMenal pic.twitter.com/N5d6xMspWe

— Hornets Venom GT (@HornetsVenomGT) June 30, 2020

Guard Justin “Snubby” Stemerman had 26 points in the win, guard Alex “Expose” Whelan and forward Alontae “Gliz” Proctor each scored 16 and center Zaeya “Zae” Ishak racked up eight points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Guard Brendan “Reizey” Hill scored 29 points for Magic Gaming, while center Robert “May” May totaled five points and 14 rebounds.

Despite the outstanding ending in the opening win, none of that momentum carried over into Game 2 for Hornets Venom as the squad quickly fell behind 17-2 in the opening frame. Charlotte eventually steadied itself later on in the first half and entered the break trailing 34-24.

The defensive pressure really picked up for the squad in the third as they outscored Orlando, 18-5 to take a three-point lead heading into the fourth. Still up by three with 42 seconds left, Expose greened a fadeaway from the left elbow and after a defensive stop, drained another jumper from the free-throw line, helping put away a 54-51 series-sealing win.

.@ExposeHim__ draining the 🟢 🗡️ for the W!!! #ThisIsNotAGame #VENOMenal pic.twitter.com/NYVvhOQpIq

— Hornets Venom GT (@HornetsVenomGT) June 30, 2020

Snubby (19 points and five steals), Gliz (11), Expose (10) and Zae (10) all scored in double figures with the Hornets Venom center adding 11 rebounds and three blocks. Forward Gio “Trap” Elizondo chipped in four points and three steals, while Magic Gaming got 21 points (although 10 turnovers) from Reizey and a 10-point, 18-rebound double-double from May.

The clinching game was the third straight outing Hornets Venom has allowed fewer than 60 points, one shy of matching its season-best streak, which took place at the start of the schedule. Magic Gaming shot 51 percent from the field over both contests and committed 27 total turnovers compared to just 19 for Charlotte (five in Game 1).

Hornets Venom will be back in action for a road game against Warriors Gaming Squad on Wednesday, July 1 beginning at 9 PM EST. Catch the action on ESPN mobile, Twitch.TV/NBA2KLeague or YouTube Gaming.

by Sam Perley