Lightning Surge Late Over River Lions In 103-92 Win

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Lightning Surge Late Over River Lions In 103-92 Win

Roger Cumberbatch Sun Feb 4, 2018

Saturday night is usually when students and residents in the city of London, paint the town red at the bars. The always busy and infamous “Richmond Row”, always has people milling around, or lined up, at their favourite watering hole. This Saturday, however, had the potential to be a quiet one in the downtown area, as a snow storm moved into London and covered the city in white, not red. Stay in, or go to the arena and watch a game, on a night that would otherwise be too difficult to facilitate due to traffic and hordes of drunk party seekers circulating the streets? Thankfully, the fans of the London Lightning, chose the latter, and jammed the seats all the way up to the upper bowl of Budweiser Gardens.

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Their opponent, the Niagara River Lions. The River Lions were sporting a 12-13 record, while the Lightning sat in a tie for 1st place in the NBL Canada Central Division standings with the St Johns Edge, with an identical record of 14-8. London is in the midst of a 3 game losing streak, and the surging River Lions were riding a 2 game winning streak, something had to give, somebody had to lose on Saturday. Of course, having a pre game ceremony honouring Fanshawe College, and a jump ball, might slow down the level of intensity before the start of the 1st quarter. A slow start was to be expected after pomp and circumstance, the anthem, and player introductions.

Slow is exactly how the Lightning came out after the opening tip. Niagara struck the 1st couple of blows, before London’s defense stepped up, and the offense arose out of their early slumber. A pair of 3’s, and a steal leading to a fast break dunk, forced the River Lions Head Coach Joe Raso. The 1st quarter was close, Niagara would make a big basket, and looked like they were going a charge in the game, but the Lightning would sink a basket to counter, and keep the game under their control. All things considered, the River Lions should have felt fortunate to be only trailing at the end of the 1st 12 minutes of the game, 27-26. Strong shooting from the land beyond, is what saved Niagara’s bacon. The River Lions shot 46% from the field,and 56% from 3. London was not exactly shooting bricks, which was the predicament for a team like Niagara, who trailed, while trading baskets with their opponents. The Lightning shot 48% from inside the 3 point line, and 43% from behind it.

The 2nd quarter, the game had now become an NBL Canada game again. The River Lions kept up their torrid shooting from the 3 point arc, however, it was the long distance shooting by London that created some separation in the game, and pushed the Lightning’s lead to double digits, near the end of the half. After 1 half of basketball action, that had the Budweiser Gardens’ atmosphere inside blazing hot, while it snowed like a blizzard outside, the score was 49-41 for London. The Lightning were a piping hot 50% from the field, but cooled off a bit with their 3’s, shooting 39%. Niagara, cooled down from the field, shooting 40%, but held up the pistol-sharp shooting from 3, at 53%.

In the 3rd quarter, London tried to blow the game wide open, but the River Lions were a team on the rise in the league. Niagara showed that their sub .500 record does not reflect the hustle, energy, and intensity, that they were displaying Saturday evening in front of a slightly nervous and quiet Budweiser Gardens crowd. The score after 3 quarters, was 75-68 for the host Lightning. No need for panic yet, by the fans, players, or coaches of the team.

London began the final frame on a 4-0 run, sparking an early timeout by the River Lions. After the timeout, Niagara was unable to stop the bleeding, and could gain no forward momentum of their own. The Lightning maintained an already double digit lead, 94-79, prompting a 2nd timeout by River Lions’ Head Coach Joe Raso. The timeout by Raso, was only a chance for each team to catch their breaths, and finish the game. Any strategy discussed in the Niagara huddle, was obliterated by the play out of the timeout by London. When the snow had cleared, and the crying was over, the Lightning sent their hometown fans home warm inside, with a 103-92 victory. Doug Herring Jr. of London’s squad, quietly held the proverbial finger in the dam, leading the team in scoring with 17 points, and adding 8 rebounds. Ryan Anderson, also had a strong game for the Lightning, that almost went unnoticed, by scoring 10 points, and grabbing 10 rebounds, for a double double.

With the win, London ends their 3 game losing streak, and stays stride for stride with the NBL Canada Central Division leading St. John’s Edge, who also won on Saturday, with a record of 15-8. Post game, Lightning Head Coach Keith Vassell, said that he was satisfied with the effort in the game, and this season to date, considered the absences and injuries to key players on the team. Next on the schedule for London, is the 2nd game of 3 home games for the team. The Island Storm, will be visiting the Budweiser Gardens on Thursday February the 8th, so go on down and show your support for the team that already leads the NBL Canada in attendance, and great support in their local community.