In the middle of a three game stretch the Windsor Express traveled north to square off against the well-rested Niagara River Lions. Windsor was coming off a tough loss the night before to the London Lightning. For Niagara, this would be their first game in eight days.

Maurice Bolden couldn’t be stopped in the first six minutes of the game scoring most of his points from inside the paint. Windsor’s inside game was refreshing to see on both ends. The Express were contesting inside shots and consistently dumping the ball down low to players such as Bolden and Theo Davis. A combination of Windsor’s streaky shooting combined with Niagara’s ability to hit open three’s allowed Niagara to pull away with the lead after one quarter. Logan Stutz was nowhere to be found for Niagara but the River Lions led Windsor 27-19 nonetheless. Niagara’s bench outscored Windsor’s 13-2 bench in the first quarter partially in part to Niagara leaving some of their regular starters on the bench to start this game.

Windsor was able to climb back into the game due to a strong second quarter from some of their bench players. Theo Davis and Alex “Superman” Johnson hit some crucial shots mid-way through the second quarter that shortened the Niagara lead. A quick 12-3 by Niagara saw the River Lions up nine midway through the quarter. Excellent transition defense may have kept Windsor in the game. Eric Frederick was able to defend a 3-on-1 fast break and grab the rebound during what was one of the better defensive plays for Windsor in the first half. Windsor continued to lock down the paint allowing only eight points inside. Niagara’s Mike Allison was evidently fed up with Windsor’s sudden surge of inside scoring as he ended the first half by swatting a Windsor forward. Niagara would go into the break leading 47-42.

The Express regained the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter upon Mo Bolden’s converted three point play. Bolden apparently enjoys the start of halves because he went on a similar tear to the one he went on to start the game. The Express fast pace offense was getting easy buckets in transition and not allowing Windsor to set their defense. A scary moment for Maurice Bolden and the Express late in the third as Bolden hit the floor hard after being undercut while trying to block a shot. Bolden got up and walked off the court under his own power after being down for several minutes. When play resumed Shaquille Keith hit a turnaround jumper to extend the Windsor lead. Windsor maintained their 74-68 lead throughout the third quarter.

The fourth quarter scoring got underway when Chris Commons channeled his inner Kareem Abdul-Jabar and hit a hook shot coming across the lane. Tempers flared late in the game as coach Tony Jones received a technical foul and was subsequently ejected following a call he didn’t agree with. Brandon Robinson knocked down some clutch free throws to secure an Express victory. Windsor took this one by a score of 97-93.

Windsor comes home tomorrow night to complete this three game stretch against their rival London Lightning. Before the game it was rumored that former head coach and current vice president of basketball operation Bill Jones would be back on the bench for the Express as the head coach of the team. It has not been said what coach Tony Jones’ role will be moving forward. Tip time for tomorrow’s game is 7 p.m.