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A strong fourth period saw Lions continued their winning run against Bristol Flyers with a 79-66 victory at the Copper Box, on Friday.
Isaiah Reese led the way for Nikhil Lawry’s side with 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and as many assists as the home side recorded their sixth victory of the season against the Flyers.
Kylor Kelley picked up where he left off against Newcastle, finishing with a ten point, 12 rebound double-double and added another three blocks to his impressive tally. Dirk Williams dropped four triples on the way to a 17 point night while Lorenzo Cugini continued his good form as a starter with 14 points and five boards. Marcus Evans and Trejon Jacob led Flyers with 14 points apiece.
Dirk Williams hit a triple to open the scoring, but the first period proved to be hard going for the hosts as Flyers hit eight of the next ten points before Cugini’s lay-up cut the deficit to a single points at the five minute mark.
Reese and Cugini kept Lions in touch before Chris Tawiah’s lay-up again made it a one-point game but a two minute drought followed before Kelley hit a free-throw and Dirk Williams’ triple off Justin Robinson’s assist cut Bristol’s lead to 21-17 at the first break.
A lay-up from Reese opened what proved to be a more positive second period for the home side before Julian Washburn marked his return to the side by giving Lions their first lead since the opening stage with a triple,
Flyers responded with seven unanswered points before Reese drove to the basket and Dirk Williams again scored from the Land of Plenty. Flyers kept their noses in front but Reese’s drive cut the deficit to 34-32 with 71 first half seconds remaining and Williams took his tally to 11 for the half with a pair of free-throws to trim Bristol’s lead to 37-36 going into the locker room at half-time.
Flyers started the second half strongly as Jacob’s triple capped an 8-0 run before Reese ended the tear and Kelley converted a three-point play. Jordan Williams kept Lions in touch before Dirk Williams buried a three to give Lions a one point lead heading into the final three minutes of the third period.
There was still little to choose between the teams down the stretch as Dirk Williams’ single free throw tied the game at 55 going into the final break but Tawiah’s lay-up to open the fourth period gave them a lead they would never lose.
Cugini hit a triple before converting a pair at the foul line and London were now in control as a Reese lay-up made it an eight-point game with five minutes left on the clock.
Zach Simmons dunk kept Bristol in touch but Cugini fired another triple and Reese’s trey made it a double-digit lead heading into the final three minutes. Lions’ lead never dipped below nine again, before Reese’s nice step back jumper wrapped up the win.
