Express Lose Heartbreaker 88-86
January 20, 2017 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Windsor Express News Release
WINDSOR, ON- For the fourth time this season the Windsor Express took the floor at home, this time against the NBL Canada's newest franchise, the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans. In two contests against the Titans this season the Express had yet to lose a game.
Before the game it was announced Express big man Nick Evans would head to the injured reserve list. Taking his place on the roster was long time Express forward Erik Parker, who spent last season on the Windsor coaching staff and the first part of this season on the team's practice squad. Replacing Evans in the starting lineup was reserve forward Lester Prosper.
Windsor opened the game on a 14-3 run. Windsor used the three ball almost exclusively in the first half, getting a pair of three's from Warren Ward and 3-for-5 performance from deep from Wally Ellenson. After playing one of their best defensive quarters of the season through the first 12 minutes, Kitchener-Waterloo cut the Express lead down to five by half time.
Inserting Lester Prosper into the starting lineup payed dividends defensively for Windsor. The team registered a season high 12 blocks, including six from Prosper. Windsor continued chucking up a high percentage of three's in the second half after shooting 40 per cent as a team from beyond the arch in the first half. The team would shoot 35 percent in the game compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's 18 percent, which was a major difference in the game. Windsor was able to get open looks all night and spread the ball around, resulting in 26 assists as a team.
The Express held a one point lead with two and a half minutes left when Lester Prosper blocked a would-be go ahead three out of bounds to preserve Windsor's lead. The Titans led for the first time with under two minutes left in the game. In a defensive battle, Windsor needed a contested layup from Maurice Jones to bring the game back to even at 86 all.
That score would not stand however, as a jumper from the left elbow by Kitchener-Waterloo's leading scorer put the Titans ahead by two with only enough time for one Windsor possession. Lester Prosper missed the final shot attempt of the night and the final buzzer sounded.
For the first time this season the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans defeated the Windsor Express, this time by a score of 88-86. The Express are now 2-1 against the Titans this season and 2-2 at home.
The selfless play of starting point guard Maurice Jones notched him 12 assists in the contest.
With some of his family in house, Wally Ellenson was Windsor's player of the game, adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists to go along with his game high 20 points.
After dropping back-to-back home games, the Express finish off their three game home stand next Wednesday with a game against the Orangeville. A's on January 25th. Tip-off is 7:00pm at the WFCU Centre.
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