River Lions romp in home opener
Ryan Anderson made plenty of visits to the Meridian Centre as a member of the National Basketball League of Canada’s London Lightning.
But the 31-year-old native of Seattle, Wash., got to experience basketball from a different bench as the Niagara River Lions opened the home portion of the Canadian Elite Basketball League schedule with a 108-66 thumping of the Edmonton Stingers Thursday night.
“I felt like I was home already and it felt good to play in front of these fans,” said Anderson, who led his team with 21 points. “A fan told me that he used to hate me but he loves me now.”
Anderson understands loyalty to the home side.
“Fans get attached to their team, they love where they are from, they love their cities and their players and when you come in as an opposing player and try to disrupt what they love, I get that.
“These fans here in Niagara are great and I am glad to be playing for them.”
Anderson has been playing professional basketball in Canada since 2013 and the former Nebraska player has found a second home.
“I am actually trying to become a Canadian and if you know anyone who can help me out, let me know,” he said.
“You guys, as a collective, care about education, you care about health care and however you get it done, it works.
“And it can be even better and you guys are working towards improving it and I value that.
“Your country is beautiful man.”
River Lions head coach Victor Raso describes Anderson as supremely skilled.
“He is incredibly intelligent and to have two shooters like him and Ned (Mitrovic) who are also great readers of the game, it causes a lot of problems for opposing teams,” he said. “They (other teams) have to step up, but they know when to pass and where to pass and they have a very good feel.”
Niagara’s win Thursday was a far cry from an 118-105 overtime loss in Edmonton last Friday.
“The first two games on the road helped built some character for us and then we had a few days to prepare and get after each other in practice,” Anderson said. “I think all the hard work showed today in the game.”
Raso had a simple explanation how his team beat Edmonton by 42 points after losing by 13 to the Stingers in overtime six days ago.
“It’s because we were pissed,” he said. “We watched film from the last game and we recognized that we were terrible on the defensive boards and defensive transition and we let their best players feel comfortable.
“These guys took it personally.”
And then they took it out on each other in practice.
“Monday and Tuesday in practice were absolutely insane,” Raso said. “I love the craziness, I love crazy competitors and I am creating a culture to be crazy competitive.”
The rookie head coach was happy to see his team play like it practices.
“We have been playing well and we know how good we are in practice but we hadn’t beaten somebody like the way we thought we could.”
STATS PACK
River Lions 108 Stingers 66
BPSN Player of the Game: Niagara’s Ryan Anderson with 21 points and five rebounds.
For the Niagara River Lions: Anderson 21; Trae Bell-Haynes 16; Ned Mitrovic 15; Dorian Pinson 14.
For the Edmonton Stingers: Xavier Moon 26; Jordan Baker 23.
Game stats: Shooting percentage: Niagara 47.6, Edmonton 33.8. Rebounds: Niagara 45, Edmonton 49. Free throws: Niagara 15-20, Edmonton 13-24. Turnovers: Niagara 12, Edmonton 29.
Up next: The River Lions are at the Saskatchewan Rattlers next Friday.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
