Titans tame R’ Lions
Despite a 16- 0 run that tied the game 45- 45 early in the third quarter, the Niagara River Lions never retook the lead from that point on in dropping a 105- 100 decision to the Kitchener- Waterloo Titans Thursday night.
The River Lions came out flat from their Christmas break, and despite flashes against the Titans fell to 7- 6 overall on the season.
A frustrated Lions head coach Joe Raso was very blunt with his overall thoughts of the game.
“I’m not happy. We got bullied, we got beat up and we got outplayed,” said Raso.
“We had runs, but I thought for the most of the game they ( Titans) were the aggressor. They were the ones pushing us. They were the ones setting the tempo.”
Sam Muldrow led Niagara with yet another double- double, 31 points and 12 rebounds, as the River Lions shot 46.3 per cent from the field.
However, every big shot or momentum turn was answered by Kitchener- Waterloo, who improved to 2- 5 with the win.
“I think we have to reassess,” Raso said. “We’re 7- 6 on the season, and we can’t wait until we’re two games under .500 to address some of our issues. We have to start addressing these issues immediately.
“For us it’s our start( s), it’s our attitude, it’s our effort, it’s that desire of playing really hard, and that’s been a question — so I have to clean that up. I’ve got to change the lineup or something.”
One player that Raso did use more than he’s used all season long was rookie forward Andravious Smith. Smith’s scoring line wasn’t overly impressive, four points and two rebounds, but his hustle on the court was extremely noticeable.
“He’s bringing it,” said Raso. “He is playing really hard, so therefore he has earned minutes, and in some cases taken away minutes from other people.
“He was on the floor during that 16- 0 run.”
The Lions, 3- 3 on their current season- high, seven- game road trip, wrap up their 2017 calendar year tonight in London against a Lightning team that has won three straight games.
“It’s a matter of fight or flight,” Raso said. “We’ll see how we’ll respond. Hopefully we’ll fight and get through some of this stuff.”
Lion Pride: Raso gave his players four days off for the Christmas break … Every River Lions player found the score sheet in this game, in fact the Titans’ Ben Vozzola was the lone player not to score … Muldrow also shot 3- for- 5 from three- point land.