Express Fall to Lightning on New Year's Day
January 1, 2017 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Windsor Express News Release
London, ON-- The Windsor Express kicked off the new year by renewing their 401 rivalry with the London Lighting on Sunday afternoon at Budweiser Gardens. This was Windsor's first trip to London since the 2016 playoffs where London defeated Windsor in six games.
This game marked the first time Warren Ward and Nick Evans would return to London after playing for the Lightning last season. Also making his first appearance in the starting lineup this season was former NBL Canada MVP Quinnel Brown.
Windsor got off to a slow start in the first quarter. The lethal three-point shooting of London's Julian Boyd (3 for 4 in the quarter) pushed the Lightning's lead to double digits early. A total of eight first quarter turnovers, combined with getting out rebounded resulted in a 30-20 deficit for Windsor.
The second quarter did not see much of anything go the way of the Express. After having trouble holding on to the ball in the first quarter, Maurice Jones returned to the floor late in the second to provide some highlight plays offensively. After one half of play, Windsor trailed London 64-37.
Warren Ward was the lone bright spot for Windsor in the first half. Ward went two for three from deep, combined with a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line resulting in 12 first half points. London's Royce White was well on his way to a triple double after registering a first half stat line of 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Quinnel Brown came out of half time looking like a man on a mission and sinking his first two shots from deep. When Brown got into foul trouble late in the quarter he made way for Express guard Wally Ellenson to make an impact off the bench. Ellenson did work on the glass, providing five rebounds and three points in the quarter.
Windsor began to wake up in the fourth, sparked by a pair of Jernard Jarreau two-handed dunks. Ellenson added a pair of three pointers on route to Windsor out scoring London by seven in the final quarter. Their late game efforts were not enough in the extremely physical game.
Windsor would remain winless on the road this season after dropping the first game of 2017 to London by a score of 129-105.
Wally Ellenson was recognized as Windsor's player of the game thanks to his 22 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The Express will have little time to sort things out as they are in the middle of playing 4 games in 5 days. Next for Windsor is a road trip to St. Catharines to take on the Niagara River Lions on Monday January 2nd for a 2:00pm tip-off at the Meridian Centre.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from January 1, 2017
- Express Fall to Lightning on New Year's Day - Windsor Express
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