Ayer, Housman, Lathan pace Lightning
They get double-doubles in sixth straight win; Strickland honored
Three Los Angeles Lightning players posted double-doubles on Friday night at Royal High and the defending IBL champions ground out a 114-99 victory over the Arizona Raptors.
Center Chris Ayer led the way with 30 points and 15 rebounds while point guard Drew Housman hit 10-of-16 shots en route to 24 points and a season-best 13 assists. Trayvon Lathan (23 points, 11 rebounds, four steals) notched his sixth straight double-double for the Lightning (12-2), who won their sixth straight to tie their single-season record.
Ayer, Housman and Lathan combined to shoot 63.5 percent (33-52) in the IBL pro basketball game in Simi Valley. Ja’Shon Hampton added 15 points, Bryon Russell had 15 rebounds and Juaquin Hawkins collected five points, seven rebounds and six assists.
It was the second-lowest scoring night of the year by the Lightning and the second-best defensive effort.
Royal High retired the jersey of State Sen. Tony Strickland, who’s in his second season with the Lightning. The game was a benefit for the Royal boys’ basketball team.
L.A. ended the second quarter on an 11-2 run, including a layup by Strickland, to take a 54-46 halftime lead.
Ayer scored 19 of his points in the second half, when the home team outshot Arizona 55.8 to 36.7 percent. Los Angeles won the board battle 64-56 and improved to 9-0 when they lead that category.
Del Somers and Monte Jones paced the Raptors with 20 points each and James Singleton had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Fred Vinson had a strained calf but still played 31 minutes for L.A., finishing with six points and eight rebounds.
"If I’m out there, they have to respect me as a shooter," said Vinson, the team’s top 3-point threat. "I was really proud of the way Housman played. His ability to read the pick-and-roll was huge."
Housman, a 23-year-old who played at Calabasas High and Harvard, had 15 points and 10 assists in the second half.
"Coach Quarterman was putting me in a lot of pick-and-rolls, which I like," said the 6-foot-1 Housman, who’s a bundle of energy. "My teammates were spacing it really well. Anytime you get 13 assists, that means people are hitting shots."
The Lightning will complete their regular-season home schedule on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with another benefit game at Agoura High. They play their final four on the road, starting with a three-game set at the Edmonton Energy in Canada on June 25-27.
