SUD vs LON Game 3 - Super League Playoffs Report
Tensions were high in this playoff series between the London Lightning and Sudbury Five. Sudbury needed a win to keep their hopes of reaching the finals alive, whereas London had a 2-0 advantage going into game three.
Held at the Gardens in London, it seemed the perfect stage for the Lightning to move on to the finals, but Sudbury were seeking to spoil their homecoming in this unpredictable clash of Canadian basketball.
Nick Garth opened the scoring with a three for London, Sudbury soon went in front by a point, but more threes from the Lightning go up by nine after five minutes. Sudbury kept up the pressure on defence and brough the gap between the teams down to a single possession, but Jachai Taylor and Jeremiah Mordi were keeping London in front into the second quarter.
While London stayed on fire from beyond the arc, Sudbury kept it a close game from close range until they were caught off guard in the paint by Billy White and Jachai Taylor, with Devon Baulkman making their lead a double-digit one.
The outside shooting of Landon Kirkwood once again closed the gap for the Five, who began the second half with Evan Harris knifing through the layup lane to make it a two-point game. Kirkwood hit another three to put Sudbury back in front, a one-point lead changed hands four times then Sudbury reinforced their advantage with an 8-0 run.
The game got more aggressive in the third quarter, with much of London's points coming from the charity stripe, while Kirkwood and AJ Mosby kept finding looks in open play which brought Sudbury's lead up to nine which reached double-digits early in the fourth quarter.
Struggling to find scoring rhythm, the Lightning kept finding the odd open look while Sudbury dominated still from close range, with the same scorers continuing to score right to the end. After achieving the highest lead of the game at fourteen points, London reduced the damage but couldn't get the win. Sudbury keep their season alive with a statement 128-118 victory over the Lightning.
Turning heads for London were Jachai Taylor with 30 points off the bench and Jeremiah Mordi, who finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Four more Lightning players finished with double-digits in the loss. Ja'Myrin Jackson finished with 23 points, JD Miller had 20 along with 11 rebounds and AJ Mosby led all with 39 points in the vital Sudbury win.
The series moves back to Sudbury for game four on Friday 10th, check back here for a full report after it happens.
