Lightning strikes down River Lions

It was the tale of two halves for the Niagara River Lions Friday night at Meridian Centre.

The River Lions (3-3) held the defending National Basketball League of Canada champion London Lightning (2-4) to just 35 first half points. The problem — they were outscored 73-51 in the second half in a 108-96 loss.

What made the loss even tougher to swallow was the fact London had two players, including reigning league MVP Royce White, ejected.

“A half doesn’t get you anything,” said an obviously disappointed and frustrated Joe Raso.

The River Lions head coach went on to sum up the game in three words.

“It’s 48 minutes,” Raso said. Royce White was ejected late in the second quarter after throwing what appeared to be a punch at Niagara forward Marvell Waithe.

Ryan Anderson left the London bench during the ensuing scrum and he too was thrown out of the game as the River Lions led 45-35 at the break.

Perhaps they were over-confident, or perhaps their adrenaline was running too high, but the Lions came out in the third quarter and laid a proverbial egg.

“We started that second half just horrendously,” said Raso.

“We deferred and didn’t step up with leadership. And that isn’t about any specific player – I’m talking as a team.

I think we thought the game may have been over, and we didn’t have enough respect for the other team. They (Lightning) put their will on us. We’ve got to learn from that. We have to impose our will.”

Sam Muldrow, who scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, was one of the lone bright spots for Niagara.

The good news for the River Lions

is they can quickly erase the game from their psyche as they welcome the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

“I hope so. Let’s hope it’s a good thing” added Raso when asked about the Lions getting right back on the court Saturday night.

Lion Pride: Joe Rocca and Carl For London: Garrett Williamson (19), Martin Dixon-Green (17), Joel Friesen (16), Marcus Capers (14) and Kirk Williams Jr. (13).

Game stats: Shooting Percentage – River Lions: 38.6; Lightning 45.7. Rebounds: Niagara (44); London (52). Turnovers: River Lions

(11); Lightning (14). Free Throws: Niagara 22-27; London 22-for-31. Attendance: 1, 672

Up Next: The River Lions welcome the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans Saturday night. Tip-off at Meridian Centre is set for 7 p.m.

Hall did not dress for Niagara who shot just 6-for-31 from three-point land .... Adam Klie and Dwayne Smith both fouled out in the second half for the Lions .... Former River Lions, and Niagara College, head coach Keith Vassell used his entire bench for London .... River Lions Founder and CEO Richard Petko celebrated his birthday Friday.