A fourth-quarter comeback effort fizzled as the Windsor Express lost to the Saint John Riptide 111-107 Saturday night at the WFCU Centre.
The Express now sit at 18-16 and second place in the NBL Central Division standings.
Saint John dominated on offence throughout the first half, taking a 27-13 first quarter lead and having a 52-37 lead over Windsor at halftime. The Express made the adjustments at the intermission and righted the ship in the third quarter, then they went on a tear in the fourth and outscored the Riptide 34-23. The Express had come to within a point with 23 seconds remaining in regulation.
Juan Pattillo led the Express with 24 points, and also led in rebounds with nine. He shot 11-for-20 from the field. Tony Bennett added 22 points but only made six three-point shots out of 15 attempts. Shaquille Keith put 18 points through the twine.
Gabe Freeman had a double-double for Saint John with 35 points and 17 rebounds. Horace Wormely added 24 points, with nine rebounds and six assists, while Anthony Anderson contributed 12 points.
The Express travel to Orangeville on Good Friday.