London Lightning Win in Home Opener of 2017-18 Season

Sunday, November 26, 2017 (London,ON) – The London Lightning played their first home game of the 2017-18 season and came away with a 112-99 win over the Halifax Hurricanes. A fast tempo and a size advantage inside were key pieces to the win.

 

Head coach, Keith Vassell, knows the Lightning put together their best overall game so far since training camp began. "We are getting better and figuring out our identity a little more. I thought defensively we did the things we were supposed to most of that game. The flow wasn't perfect but we still managed to get 112 points." Fast breaks and running the lanes are already habits on this team. "The goal is to get as many of those [fast break points] as we can. And then in the half court to create ISO opportunities and take advantage of them."

 

The Lightning saw many mismatches inside today between Royce White and the Hurricanes bigs. Multiple times throughout the game White found a cutting Kirk Williams Jr. who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Williams Jr. explained that is all he focuses on, "Just being in the right spot, for real. That's how it works all the time, just find the right spot, the open spot and put the ball in the basket."

 

"Kirk had a fantastic night." Coach Vassell knows what he will get when he calls upon number 31. "The thing with Kirk is, him coming off the bench gives us a great lift I can count on. Regardless of what is happening with the first line I know there is going to be energy and improved defense and it brings a different look the other team now has to deal with."

 

The London Lightning play their second home game of the season this Thursday, November 30th against the Saint John Riptide at seven p.m. This is their annual Shine the Light game, where the team will wear custom purple jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game with all proceeds going to the London Abused Women's Centre.

 

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