NIAGARA, ONT. – Du’Vaughn Maxwell had 26 points and 14 rebounds Friday to pace the Island Storm to a 106-97 victory over the host Niagara River Lions to stretch its winning streak to seven games.
The Storm improved to 17-16 and leap-frogged the Saint John Riptide (16-16) into third place in the National Basketball League of Canada’s Atlantic Division standings.
The Storm did it with 10 players as Chris Johnson and Tyler Scott were injured and didn’t play.
Head coach Tim Kendrick called it a gutsy performance.
“I’m very happy with our guys,” he said. “That was a real team effort tonight. We have guys that are just playing their rear ends off.”
Carl Hall had 17 rebounds and 13 points against his former team as the Storm’s five starters each scored 13 or more points. Franklin Session scored 21 points to go with nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals, Kemy Osse had 23 points, seven boards and three dimes and Chris Anderson had 18 points and nine rebounds.
Jaylon Tate had 24 points to lead the River Lions while Torrence Dyck Jr. had nine against his former team.
The River Lions lead 29-24 after the first quarter, but trailed 49-47 at the half and 78-68 going to the fourth quarter.
The Storm fly home today and hosts the Cape Breton Highlanders Sunday at 2 p.m. They can clinch a playoff spot with a victory.
