LOS ANGELES LIGHTNING RELEASE
By Dave Loveton, Director of Media Relations
dave@losangeleslightning.net
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Game 18 – Edmonton Energy 146, Lightning 131
Photos by Joseph Cisneros

Knight gets career-high 47 in loss
Lathan notches 25 points and 16 boards for undermanned L.A.

Drew Housman

EDMONTON, Canada -- Billy Knight poured in 47 points -- the second-most in L.A. Lightning team history -- but it wasn't enough to prevent a 146-131 pro basketball loss to the Edmonton Energy on Sunday night. The Energy took two out three in the weekend series with the defending IBL champions.

Phil Givens set the L.A. scoring record with 57 points in the last game of the 2008 season. Knight’s previous high was 42 last season. Knight hit 16-of-34 from the field and 7-18 from 3-point range. The former UCLA standout scored 18 in the second quarter and 16 in the final period for the Lightning (14-4), who fell behind 29-9 after seven minutes and spent the rest of the game playing catch-up.

“I had no idea I had 47,” said Knight, a 6-5 southpaw guard who played 43 minutes. “We were losing and I just wanted to help the team win any way possible. I felt like I had to do a little bit more because we had seven guys in the second half. I knew I had to step it up offensively.

“Three games in three days wore us down. If we had more players, we probably would have won.”

Knight scored 22, 33 and 47 points in the three-game set, raising his scoring average from 19.0 to 25.4.

Steve Sir nailed 5-10 from downtown and led the Energy (14-6) with 33 points. William Funn added 22 points and 16 assists before picking up his second technical with six minutes remaining and getting ejected. The Energy were whistled for five technicals.

Trayvon Lathan had 25 points and a career-best 16 rebounds for L.A. , which played the second half with only seven players after Ja’Shon Hampton suffered a leg injury. Drew Housman had 19 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals for the Lightning, which cut the deficit to three at 122-119 on a driving layup by Lathan with 5:44 to play. The Energy responded with an 11-4 run to regain control.

Edmonton outshot the visitors 52.5 to 45.3 percent and won the board battle 55-51. The Lightning shot an impressive 87.8 percent from the free-throw line (36-41), led by Tarron Williams (10-11), Housman (9-9) and Knight (8-9).

Williams had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Lightning, who trailed 71-58 at halftime.

“I’m proud of the guys,” said coach Ron Quarterman. “They played hard and stepped up. We only had seven and fatigue was a factor.

“When you get tired, you make bad decisions. The good news is we have two days rest to get ready for Olympia .”

The Lightning, the second-place team in the Continental Division, will complete the regular season on Wednesday at the Olympia Reign in Washington . Olympia , the International Division leader, has the third-best record in the IBL at 16-5.

L.A. will open the playoffs on Friday in Portland , Ore.