SkyHawks weather frosty loss to the Lightning
December 22, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Ottawa SkyHawks News Release
The last time the SkyHawks squared off with the Lightning, Ottawa walked out the ring empty handed as London served up a 100-105 win.
Having missed their second chance to compete due to the inclement weather in London, both teams came hungry tonight for the win as what would have been their third game. Ottawa's own Eric Kibi brought it tonight with strength and aggressiveness, scoring a season high 15 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. "It was a very physical game, we need to stay on it with strength and perseverance. We need to DOG it out!" said Ottawa native Eric Kibi.
Head coach Jaren Jackson added, "We played a tough game and we hope that the rest of the team brings the type of energy that our home-town prodigy brings. Eric led by example today."
The SkyHawks had a frigid and slow start with the Lightning sitting on a 5-7 point lead halfway through the first quarter. With five minutes left in the first, Ottawa pushed to close the lead as they trailed 8 points at 15-23.
First quarter drew to an end with the London Lightning paving the lead at 22-33. Looking at the box score, it was easy to see why the Lightning maintained the gap as the SkyHawks only managed a 32 per cent field goal percentage unlike the Lightning who have hit 1 in every 2 buckets.
It should be noted the SkyHawks"ÃË newest center Jasonn Hannibal made his debut during the second quarter of Sunday's matchup and although he didn't make headlines, he started off well with two 2 points buckets and 1 rebound for his first appearance.
As the game progressed and the first half concluded, the SkyHawks continued with the missed passes, shots, and layups as the Lightning seized the opportunities for a 14 point lead leaving the game at 36-50.
Leading our SkyHawks was big man Tirrell Baines with a modest 9 points and 7 rebounds.
As per usual, our SkyHawks saved their best game for the final quarter. As though they found their second wind, the SkyHawks went from incomplete passes and bricks to tight defense outscoring London (27-22) bringing it back to a 10-point game half way through the quarter.
With exactly one minute left in the game, the SkyHawks tirelessly fought to bring the gap down even further making it an 8 point game, than onto an exciting 5 point game, and finally a 6 point game before giving up the last bucket of the final half and ultimately giving up the win at 90-98.
Next home games at Canadian Tire Centre:
Sunday, December 29th, 2013 @ 2:00 pm against Brampton A's
Final Score: Ottawa 90, London 98
Ottawa's Record: 9-10
London's record: 11-5
Leading Ottawa Scorers: jerice Crouch with 17 points
Leading London scorers: Garrett Williamson with 21 points
Leading Ottawa rebounders: Tirrell Baines with 17 rebounds
Leading London rebounders: Marvin Phillips with 16 rebounds
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from December 22, 2013
- SkyHawks weather frosty loss to the Lightning - Ottawa SkyHawks
- Sunday, December 22nd Game Postponed - Saint John Riptide
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