Express Gain Momentum Heading Into Playoffs

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In Friday night’s playoff preview at the WFCU Centre, the Windsor Express hosted the Niagara River Lions. The visitors gave the Express a scare in the first half, but the defending NBL Champions rebounded in statement fashion. Windsor dominated the second half to send a message to the new Niagara squad. the Express handily defeated their upcoming first round opponents 112-96.

The last home game of the season had Maurice Bolden scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Shaquille Keith, Chris Commons and Kirk Williams Jr. each added 17 points.

Windsor grabbed an early lead, but wouldn’t see another advantage until the second quarter. The visiting River Lions would tear up the hardwood. For most of the quarter, Niagara controlled the court. It wasn’t until the two and a half minute mark that the Express finally got into double digits. They would go on a bit of a flurry, but were still down by ten by the end of the quarter.

The Express kicked off the second quarter with a huge alley-oop courtesy of Maurice Bolden and Billy Rush. With an onslaught of offense, Windsor got within five, and then two. Eventually, the team picked up a lead. The Express turned up the heat and went on a 16-0 run. Unsurprisingly, Windsor gave itself a decent lead heading into halftime. The team was up 54-43.

The takeover continued in the third quarter as the Express kept piling on the points. They forced the River Lions to make bad plays, leading to missed shots and steals. Windsor came up with two consecutive steals, which counted for two quick baskets. At one point, the Express extended their lead to 24 points. By the end of the quarter, that lead turned into an 18-point lead.

With a final twelve minutes to play, the Express went into another gear. They maintained their lead and simply outworked the River Lions. They overcame the small burst from Niagara and continued to do their thing. Time ticked down and the final buzzer sounded. Windsor delivered a message to Niagara by winning 112-96.

Game 1 of the opening round takes place Monday, May 2nd at 7:30pm, at the WFCU Centre.