NBL Canada This Week: 2nd-7th January
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A busy week in the National Basketball League of Canada, with nine games, saw plenty of action, excitement and tense encounters as the league continues to entertain the true north, and the world. Here's everything as it happened:
Tuesday night saw Moncton Magic travel to the Harbour Station, where fifty points from the Saint John Riptide bench saw them take control in this game they eventually won by ten. Terry Thomas had 21 points and 8 rebounds for Moncton in the loss. The next night in St Catherine's, after a big first quarter from the Niagara River Lions, London Lightning staged a comeback behind 26 points from Doug Herring Jr and Royce White and Ryan Anderson who were, respectively, an assist and a rebound shy of a double-double each. Marvell Waithe's 38 points would not be enough to save the Lions, who lost to London at home in overtime, 123-119.
In their first game of the week, Windsor Express gave it their all against the Magic, but were ultimately outdone by stronger defence from Moncton and an inability to hold on to possession. Shaquille Keith had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Windsor, while Brent Jennings finished the game as the top scorer with 21 points off the bench for Moncton in their 101-89 victory.
A three-game Friday began with Cape Breton getting off to a great start against the Halifax Hurricanes, leading by ten after the first quarter, in which Bruce Massey scored 14 of his eventual total of 26. The Hurricanes bench, who had 63 points, under the leadership of Cliff Clinkscales made up for a disappointing showing from Antoine Mason. It took Halifax to the end of regulation to get back into the game, and a three-point shot made by Ta'Quan Zimmerman tied the scores and an extra period was needed. In OT, Halifax's inside play would be the dagger for Cape Breton, and despite an outstanding performance - including double-doubles from Bruce Massey and Tydran Beaty - Halifax emerged victorious.
Friday also saw a close game between Windsor and Saint John: the Riptide first took the lead after two minutes of regulation, and held on to that lead throughout, but there was never any more than five points between the two teams in this game. Three Windsor players had more than 20 points, while Saint John's Malcolm Miller led the scoring with 28 and teammate Horace Wormley had 21 points and 13 rebounds as their team romped home to a 100-96 win.
Meanwhile, the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans had fifty points in the first half against London, whose tenacity and strength in the second half put them back in control, and they went on to win their second overtime game of the week. Royce white was outstanding for London with 37 points, one of six Lightning scoring in double figures against the Titans.
Windsor Express finally managed to bag a win on Saturday, overcoming a big offensive push from the Island Storm early on with a big defensive effort and Logan Stutz and Chad Frazier combining perfectly on the front court. Braylon Rayson helped to seal it in the fourth quarter with 16 points off the bench, taking his total to 23, as Windsor took a big inter-division win over the Storm, 125-116.
The same night, the Niagara River Lions also found redemption, ending a seven-game losing streak with a 108-94 win over the Titans. Kitchener-Waterloo led by eleven at half time and Derek Hall had 29 points and 10 rebounds for them, but it would not be enough to overcome Niagara's superior shooting and seven of their players scoring in double figures.
Niagara were in action again on Sunday against London for the second time this week. This was also an eventful game, high-scoring and tight throughout. Three Niagara players finished with more than twenty points, while London guard Mo Bolden had 32 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double and Royce White ended the game with 29 points and 12 assists. London had a ten point lead at the end of the first quarter, which they sustained to the end, winning the game by 142 points to 132. After an eventful week, London are now tied for first in the central division with St. John's Edge.
For regular news, updates and full information on the league and all games, head to the NBLC official website.
