The London Lightning Take a 3-2 Series Lead over the Windsor Express with a 108-98, Game 5 win Saturday night.

The Windsor Express were looking to gain the series lead in the Conference Finals in London Saturday night. Despite a strong comeback effort in the third quarter, led by Alex Johnson, the Windsor Express fell to the London Lightning 108-98.

There were no shots scored in the first two minutes of the game until Akeem Scott’s layup. The Express had their first lead of the game after Maurice Bolden hit a jumper midway through, 8-7. From there, the London Lightning went on a 9-0 run to take back the lead. The Express finished the first quarter with a 14 point deficit, 28-14.

Brandon Robinson’s three point play early in the second quarter brought the score closer for Windsor. The last three minutes of the half was all Windsor, who made a comeback, erasing a 14 point deficit. Alex Johnson beat the buzzer to bring Windsor within three at the half, 45-42.

Going into the second half, Kirk Williams Jr was able to bring the score within 2, 47-45 in the first minute and a half. The Lightning were able to pull away and had a 7 point lead midway through, 58-51. Alex Johnson put up 7 points to tie the score at 66-66 with less than two minutes remaining. The Express regained the lead late in the quarter, and went into the final frame with a 71-68 lead.

Maurice Bolden started the last quarter with a jumper to extend Windsor’s lead. The game changer was a one handed slam by Stephen Maxwell midway through, which prompted London to go on a 9-2 run and regain the lead. Windsor got into foul trouble in the last two minutes of the game, sending London to the charity stripe. Warren Ward sealed the win for London after a pair of free throws, 108-98.

Alex Johnson came off the bench and put up 29 points, a game high.

Kirk Williams Jr added 19 points of his own.

Tony Bennett also had 16 points in the loss.

Warren Ward and Akeem Scott each had 22 points for the Lightning.

Stephen Maxwell added 21 points and 18 rebounds for the double double.

The series will shift back to the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Friday, May 27th for Game 6 of the series. Windsor must win Game 6 to keep the series alive and force a Game 7. London leads the series 3-2.

The winner of the London/Windsor series will face the Halifax Hurricanes in the NBL Canada Finals.