Express Cut Power in late game thriller

WINDSOR, ON., FEBRUARY 22, 2015.  Express forward Quinnel Brown (15) prepares to inbound the ball as Mississauga’s Jordan Weidner guards during the first half of the Express’ 104-103 win over the Power at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Sunday, February 22, 2015. (PHOTO/Mark Brown)

By Mark Brown/Converged Citizen Sports Reporter

The Windsor Express trailed the Mississauga Power Sunday, but came back when it mattered the most and claimed victory.

The Express withstood the Power’s potent offense at the WFCU Centre, scoring five points and recording one steal in the final 11 seconds of regulation as the National Basketball League of Canada’s Central Division champions rallied to take a 104-103 lead they would not relinquish.

The Express trailed by four as the final stanza began, thanks to a layup by Mississauga’s Marcus Capers. The Express then narrowed the lead on a three-pointer from point guard Tony Bennett, who lead Windsor in scoring with 21 points. Shooting guard Ryan Anderson then stole the ball back while the Express were in the press defence and immediately scored to give Windsor a one-point lead. Mississauga almost stole the game back when Omar Strong sank what appeared to be the game-winning, half-court buzzer beater, but time had already expired.

Express head coach Bill Jones had faith that his offence would come through against a talented Power attack.

“We had to find a group of guys that would play well together,” said Jones after the game. “We found a group that would play well together that would rebound and that’s how we were able to prevail in this game.”

Jones said his team was fortunate to keep the game tight despite some slips in defence.

“It was a tough game,” said Jones. “We came back, we had a game last night (a 118-99 loss in Halifax), and we were able to just keep balanced, staying around close and we were able to make a couple big shots at the end to be able to pull this one out.”

Anderson was almost unable to put himself in a position to make the winning basket. He made knee contact with another player while going for a shot earlier in the fourth quarter and hurt himself.

“I was just making a play, getting to the rim,” said Anderson. “In coming up for the shot, we were knee-and-knee and our bones were just – boom! I couldn’t even lift my leg up, it went numb for a little bit.”

Anderson was also happy to see the crowd at the WFCU Centre go home happy.

“If there was about one second more we would have lost the game because they hit that shot from half-court,” said Anderson, who finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. “That was one for the fans and I’m just glad we got the win today.”

The Express held a 26-22 lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to a 10-0 run in the opening minutes of the contest. The Power outscored Windsor in the second half and took a 52-50 halftime lead, with Omar Strong scoring 15 of his 22 points in the second stanza. The Power had a 78-73 lead at the end of three quarters and as the fourth began, stretched its lead to a game-high six points on two slam dunks from Marcus Capers (19 points, 14 rebounds).

Windsor will face this same Mississauga team in the first round of the NBL playoffs. Jones said he expects preparation to be different.

“We will have to alter our game plan a little bit,” said Jones. “But they’re (Mississauga) playing well.”

The Express wraps up the regular season Saturday, February 28 against the Brampton A’s. The first round best-of-five playoff series begins at the WFCU Centre Saturday, March 7.

WINDSOR, ON., FEBRUARY 22, 2015.  Express forward Quinnel Brown (15) prepares to inbound the ball as Mississauga’s Jordan Weidner guards during the first half of the Express’ 104-103 win over the Power at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Sunday, February 22, 2015. (PHOTO/Mark Brown)