London Lightning Take Down Oshawa Power in First of Three, Led by Gabe Freeman
NPH TOP PERFORMERS
LONDON LIGHTNING
- Eddie Smith- 20pts, 2rbs, 3ast
- Gabe Freeman- 18pts, 12rbs,
OSHAWA POWER
- Omari Johnson- 14pts, 7rbs
- Brandon Robinson- 11pts, 10rbs
OSHAWA, ON–The Oshawa Power lost to the London Lightning 100-76 in the first of three straight games against their Ontario rivals.
The mini three game set started off very defensive as both teams struggled to get things going offensively as the Lightning took a 36-33 lead into the halftime break.
It was a big third quarter by the Lightning that broke the game open as they started off the third frame on a 10-2 run, and never looked back winning the period 36-14.
“They just hit us,” said Head Coach Mark Strickland after the game. “They hit us, and we just didn‟t respond.”
Omari Johnson had a strong showing in the losing effort for the Power, netting 14 and plucking down seven rebounds.
Shooting guard Brandon Robinson added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The three newly acquired Power players, Jerome Brown, David Collins and Paul Campbell all saw action and combined for 13 points and 13 rebounds in their Power debut.
All three were introduced to the Oshawa Power fans and media earlier at a press conference at the Boston Pizza North Whitby.
Gabe Freeman had another double-double on the season for the Lightning recording 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Eddie Smith added 20 points in the win. The Power and Lightning will continue their mini-series as they head to London for game two of three.
Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the John Labatt Centre.
“Saturday night at their place it’s going to be tough. We just have to play with more heart and come out with more energy. We are really going to have to dig down, and figure out a way to hit them back when they hit us.”
