posted by Romy Aquino

LONDON LIGHTNING 116, HALIFAX RAINMEN 92

London Top Performers

DeAnthony Bowden - 28 pts (9-14), 4-9 3pt, 4 rebs, 5 ast

Eddie Smith - 20 pts (6-10), 3 rebs, 7 ast

Halifax Top Performers

Tyrone Levett - 14 pts, 7 reb, 3-6 3pt

Chris Hagan - 21 pts, 3-3 3pt, 3 ast, 5 rebs

The London Lightning can say they had a great season from start to finish.

London, who has been the powerhouse of the NBL Canada all season long, capped their season fittingly, taking home the 2011-2012 NBL Canada championship.  The Lightning took game five in a packed house at the John Labatt Center in London, 116-92.

The Lightning blew the game wide open with some hot shooting in the fourth quarter, outscoring Halifax by a margin of 35-15.  And who was it that got London’s run going?  None other than former Halifax Rainmen guard, Rodney Buford.  The former NBA veteran who was traded to London early in the season, nailed three big three pointers in the fourth where London went on a 21-4 run to start the quarter.  Buford finished the game with 18 points.  DeAnthony Bowden also had a stellar game, nailing a few crazy layups while getting fouled in the process.  The London guard finished with a game-high 28 points on 9-14 shooting.

Regular season MVP, Gabe Freeman, got in foul trouble in the second half but still finished with 22 points and 9 rebounds on the night.  Freeman was named the NBL Canada playoffs MVP.

Fans of both teams couldn’t have asked for a more exciting game as the matchup was back and forth all the way through three quarters.  Halifax started off early with some hot shooting, hitting nine threes in the first half alone, including three of them from Justin Johnson.  Halifax’s Chris Hagan, who has had an impressive playoff run, led the team with 21 points.

NBL Canada’s Chief Operating Officer, Ian McCarthy, presented the championship trophy in place of NBL Canada commissioner, John Kennedy, to the Lightning in front of their hometown fans.

“The entire NBL Canada Playoffs showcased the best of the best from a great inaugural season,” said McCarthy. “The Finals capped off this memorable season with a riveting five game series between two worthy opponents who garnered huge support from both cities.”

Lightning coach, Michael Ray Richardson, was named NBL Canada Coach of the Year.

NBL Canada fans will still get to enjoy more NBL Canada hoops action with the  All-Star weekend just around the corner.  For more information visit nblallstar.ca.

What was your favourite moment from this NBL Canada series?  Send me a tweet and let me know! @romyaquino