The London Lightning traveled to Sudbury to play in their first game since acquiring Head Coach Elliott Etherington. Etherington replaced Keith Vassell on Tuesday after Vassell and The Lightning decided to part ways. Coach Etherington was an Assistant Coach with The Bolts last season, helping the team win an NBL Championship.
Before tonight’s contest, London had struggled as of late, dropping 3 of the last 4 games and their lone win was only by a single point. After losing their last two games by an average of 25 points, they decided a change needed to be made.
The Lightning got off to a quick start against The Sudbury Five tonight, as they were up by 11, after one quarter. The Five slowly chipped away at the lead and were within one point, going into the final quarter of play. Sudbury made it close by making some clutch 3-pointers late in the game but it was too little, too late. London was able to hold on by a score of 120-117, ending a two-game losing streak.
London had several contributors tonight, as only 2 of the 8 players who played, didn’t get into double digits. Garrett Williamson and Kirk Willams Jr. both put up 20 points and Maurice Bolden added 18. Xavier Moon contributed in just about every category, scoring 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals.
Tonight’s Westervelt Player of the Game went to AJ Gaines, who helped the Lightning by putting up 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Gaines did most of his damage when it mattered most, the 4th quarter. He put up 16 points and was 5-5 from the field in the final quarter.
London is back in action on Thursday and Friday as they will play back to back games at home.
Thursday’s game will be against The Halifax Hurricanes (4-5), who The Lightning have yet to play against this season. Halifax will play twice before they travel to London to play The Lightning on Thursday. Friday’s game will be a rematch versus The Kitchener-Waterloo Titans(3-5). London lost by 26 points on December 9th, despite leading by 2 at halftime. The Bolts were outscored 80-52 in the 2nd half, including a 4th quarter that saw The Bolts being outscored by 20 points. Game time for both games is at 7 pm.
