Using the neutron time-of-flight facility at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility we have studied (p, n) reactions on the light nuclei Li, ' "B,and ' ' C. Double differential cross sections have been measured between Hi, b=0' and 50' in 5' intervals, at E"=186MeV. Contributions of the quasifree reaction in the giant resonance region are estimated. Energy spectra of EL=1 transitions have been extracted using multipole decomposition analysis. The resulting EL=1 spectra are compared with results of photonuclear reactions.Empirical results are also compared with distorted wave impulse approximation calculations. PACS number(s): 25.40.Ep, 27.20.+n, 24.70.+s